Nagpur, Feb 16 (ANI): New Zealand won against hosts India by 47 runs in a spin-dominated Super 10 contest of the World Twenty20. Skipper Kane Williamson’s gamble to compromise on speed and pick three specialist spinners paid off. New Zealand’s three-pronged spin attack, however, ensured it was more than enough as Mitchell Satner (4-11), Nathan McCullum (2-15) and the Indian-born Ish Sodhi (3-18) wrecked the hosts who folded for 79 in 18.1 overs. Satner said the win was a major confidence booster in the tournament. The Indian fans expected the chase to be a stroll in the park but McCullum and Santner had other ideas. They blew away India’s top order, reducing them to 26-4 in the fifth over to derail their chase. Virat Kohli (23) resisted the onslaught for a while but Sodhi struck a crucial blow with his very first ball to send back the Indian batting mainstay. Home captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni waged a lone battle with a run-a-ball 30 but the celebrated ‘finisher’ could not get his team over the line. New Zealand beat India at their own game with their spinners claiming nine of the 10 wickets but Dhoni insisted the defeat was more down to his team’s careless batting.
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