Hardik Pandya surprised by Ranchi pitch as India lose T20I opener to New Zealand
Captain Hardik Pandya conceded India were surprised by how much the pitch offered turn, after India slipped to a 21-run defeat to New Zealand in Saturday's opening T20I in Ranchi.
Hardik Pandya.New Zealand posted a final total of 175 for six on the back of half-centuries from opener Devon Conway and all-rounder Daryl Mitchell.
India were limited to an insufficient 155 for nine in reply, despite all-rounder Washington Sundar's 50 and vice-captain Suryakumar Yadav's 47.
India bowled 10 overs of spin and New Zealand seven.
"I don't think no one even thought that this wicket would play like that," said Pandya.
"Both teams kind of got surprised, but think they played better cricket on this pitch, and that's the reason the result ended like that.
"Actually, the ball was turning more with the new ball than the old one. And the way it spun and the way it was getting that bounce, I think it kind of caught us by surprise, but I still think we kind of pulled it back.
"We were still in the game until Yadav and myself were batting and obviously the way Washington finished. As I said, it was a surprise wicket, but they just played a little better cricket than us."
Mitchell was named player of the match. His 59 spanned just 30 balls - and featured three fours and five sixes.
"Obviously, Daryl's innings was very crucial for them and as I said 150 would've been par and we would've been very happy with that going inside, but yes he made the difference by actually getting a half-century for himself," concluded Sundar.
"He played until the end and made the difference in the last over. I think these big overs will happen in T20 cricket and it just happened on a couple of occasions in this game and at times it could happen where you will see 15 runs and above in three or four overs. That's how this format is."
The result afforded New Zealand an early lead in the three-match series. Lucknow will host the second match and Ahmedabad and the third.