India vs New Zealand: Mohammed Siraj’s T20 growth, Sanju Samson’s absence — biggest takeaways from T20I series

India registered another bilateral series win on Tuesday after clinching the T20I series against New Zealand 1-0. While the first T20I was washed out due to rain, the third T20I ended in a tie on the DLS score as rain halted play in the 9th over of the second innings.

India had won the 2nd T20I by 65 runs.

Chasing 161, India lost four early wickets as the Indian top order collapsed after getting small starts and fans once again bashed the team management for Sanju Samson’s absence. Hardik Pandya, however, reinstated calmness in the batting order as he scored an 18-ball 30 and held one end before rain played spoilsport.

In the first innings, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh starred for India bagging four wickets each and restricting New Zealand batters to 160. Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway hit half-centuries to ensure that their side was not bundled out cheaply.

While the series would obviously hold facile importance after the T20 World Cup debacle, it definitely has some important talking points.

Post-win handshakes and smiles as #TeamIndia sign off from Napier with a series win