NZ bowlers pull off 6-run win thriller

NEW DELHI: New Zealand bowlers pulled off a thrilling six-run win over India in the second one-day international after skipper Kane Williamson struck a dazzling century to help his side level the series 1-1 in New Delhi on Thursday

The hosts, who were chasing 243 for victory, were bowled out for 236 in 49.3 overs as Hardik Pandya’s fighting 36 went in vain.

Speedster Tim Southee claimed three wickets. Pandya, who starred with three wickets for India on debut in the Dharamsala ODI, looked like completing the chase during his 32-ball knock but Trent Boult got the dangerman in the penultimate over.

With India needing 10 in the final over and a wicket in hand, Southee got Jasprit Bumrah bowled for nought as the visitors celebrated their first win in the five-match series.

Boult’s excellent match figures of two for 25, including two maidens in his quota of 10 overs, was also key in New Zealand choking the Indian chase.

Earlier Williamson’s fluent 118 helped New Zealand post 242 for nine as Indian bowlers checked the visiting total with late strikes.

“A lot of credit to the way we bowled, to create pressure on that surface was key and Trent Boult was outstanding,” said Williamson.

New Zealand bowlers also came back strong to hurt India’s reply with early strikes as the hosts slipped to 73 for four.

“I feel this was one game where we lost wickets against the run of play, it was not that the deliveries were good, we just kept losing wickets,” said a disappointed Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The teams now head to Mohali for the third match tomorrow. AFP