2 Nov 2017

Black Caps thumped by India in T20 opener

7:32 am on 2 November 2017

New Zealand have suffered their first Twenty20 loss to India after taking a 53-run hammering in the series opener in Delhi.

The Black Caps players following their ODI loss to India.

The Black Caps players following their ODI loss to India. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2017 www.photosport.nz

Dropped catches proved costly for the Black Caps, Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma both given an early life before going on to each make 80.

Dhawan was put down on eight by Mitchell Santner, while Sharma was shelled on 16 by Tim Southee, allowing the pair to put together a commanding 158-run opening wicket

Virat Kohli was the other contributor to the hosts' imposing total of 202-3, the Indian skipper also capitalising on being dropped to thump an 11-ball 26 late in the innings.

In reply, New Zealand could only manage 149-8 as the Indian bowling attack put a chokehold on a potentially dangerous Black Caps order.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson highlighted the dropped catches as crucial from their perspective.

"Obviously a disappointing performance from us, in all areas really.

"One that standouts would be the fielding, we were poor there and it's something we pride ourselves on."

"India played superbly in all facets, there are no excuses. It's just about being better."

Tom Latham, the standout from the one-day series won 2-1 by the home team, was again the visitors best with the bat, making 39 off 36 from No 4.

Williamson made 28 off 24 and Santner hit 27 off 14 towards the end but no other New Zealand batsman got past 11.

Spinners were the star performers with the ball, for both teams.

Black Caps leg-spinner Ish Sodhi bowled with plenty of variety to return the superb figures of 2-25 from his four overs, left-arm off-spinner Santner not taking a wicket but going for only 7.5 runs-per-over.

All four New Zealand seamers went at more than 11 runs-per-over.

For India, left-arm off-spinner Axar Patel had 2-20 and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal had 2-26, both off their full four over allotment.

Williamson said it was important his side could bounce back strongly in game two of the three-match series early on Sunday morning (NZ time) in Rajkot.

"Naturally, when you are chasing a total like that, which was certainly above par on that surface, you do take risks and you need a little bit to go your way.

"India were outstanding in all areas and never gave us a sniff."

The Black Caps had won the previous five T20 matches they had played against India, dating back to 2007.