- New Zealand suffered their 4th straight Super defeat in 7 months
- India clinched a 4-0 lead in the ongoing series after 2 back-to-back Super Over wins
- Fans trolled New Zealand after Virat Kohli and KL Rahul gunned down 14 in the Super Over
Is there a more heartbreaking story in international cricket than New Zealand’s Super Over losses?
On Friday, New Zealand slipped to their 4th straight Super Over defeat in the last 7 months in international cricket. It was their 2nd straight Super Over defeat in a span of 3 days as India emerged on the winning side in two back-to-back thrilling T20Is in the ongoing 5-match series.
After conceding a series-sealing 3-0 lead to India on Wednesday after going down in the Super Over in Christchurch, New Zealand were involved in another tied game and finished on the losing side in Wellington.
Chasing 166, New Zealand were cruising towards the target as they needed just 11 runs in the last 2 overs. The hosts had 2 well-set batsmen in half-centurion Tim Seifert and senior campaigner Ross Taylor who were involved in a 62-run stand before the drama unfolded.
Navdeep Saini, bowling the 19th over, gave away just 4 runs as the choked the run flow with pitch-perfect yorkers and slower balls. Needing just 7 runs for a consolation win, New Zealand were still in a good position as Shardul Thakur was handed the responsibility of bowling the fina lover after Jasprit Bumrah completed his quota of 4 overs as early as the 18th over.
Shardul Thakur delivered the goods in style just like Mohammed Shami did a few days back in Christchurch. 4 wickets fell in the final over as New Zealand slipped from 160 for 3 to 166 for 7 and were forced to be involved in their 8th Super Over in international cricket.
New Zealand sent in half-centurions Tim Seifert and Colin Munro to get going in the Super Over bowled by Jasprit Bumrah. Despite some ordinary fielding by India in the tense Super Over, the Black Caps were able to manage only 13 runs.
For India, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli came out to chase the target in the Super Over and they did so with a ball remaining. Rahul smashed Tim Southee to a six and a boundary in the 1st two deliveries before getting out in the third ball.
With Rahul giving India a great start, captain Virat Kohli made sure India crossed the finish line and sealed a 4-0 lead.
This is New Zealand’s 7th loss in a Super Over in 8 attempts in international cricket. The Black Caps, who lost the World Cup 2019 final in a Super Over, have not won a tied match in international cricket since February 2008.
Moreover, Tim Southee, who was at the receiving end in both the Super Over vs India, has bowled in 6 Super Overs and New Zealand have lost 5 of them.
Cricket fans on social media had a field day as they poked fun at the expense of New Zealand’s heartbreak in Friday’s Super Over. Here are some reactions.
