New Zealand defeated India by four runs in T20I series-decider in Hamilton to win the three-match T20I series 2-1. India were given a huge target in the third and final T20I. But the partnership between Dinesh Karthik and Krunal Pandya gave all the Indian fans hope of something special in the final T20I. One of the most controversial moments came in the final over of the game when Dinesh Karthik refused to take an easy single on the third ball of the 20th over.
Speaking to Sports Tak, the Indian off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh said, “This last T20I could have gone either way and any team could have won but a little mistake from Dinesh Karthik that he did not take that single and may be we could have won this game too. Somewhere I felt Krunal Pandya could have tried, he had got 18-19 runs in the previous over from Southee. So if that one mistake would not have been made, may be the result of the match and the series would have been different”
It was quite surprising to see Karthik refusing to take the single especially given the kind of touch Krunal had shown on Sunday. India were given 213 runs to chase after Colin Munro blasted 72 runs off 40 balls for the hosts.
Vijay Shankar top-scored for India with 43 runs off 28 balls while the likes of Dinesh Karthik (33 off 16), Rishabh Pant (28 off 12), Krunal Pandya (26 off 13), and Hardik Pandya (21 off 11) played wonderful cameos. Rohit Sharma was a big disappointment as he batted sluggishly to score 38 off 32 deliveries.