Harshita
WELLINGTON: Virat Kohli is definitely proud of his team with the way they have performed and kept their winning streak continue. Besides, he was also happy with the thrilling back-to-back matches with super overs. They have not played a super-over and now they played two consecutive super-over matches and maybe this streak too will continue in the fifth T20I as well!
The Men in Blue captain during the post-match presentation said, " There's something new that I've learnt, that you've just got to stay calm in the game, observe what's happening and if the opportunity comes then you capitalize on it. The fans couldn't have asked for a better finish in two consecutive games. We hadn't played super-over before, and now we have played two back to back. It feels good when you're out of the game and get yourself back in, it really shows the character of the team."
Another day, another victory for India and another super over gone wrong for New Zealand! India has already clinched the series but with winning the fourth T20I against the Kiwis, they have taken one more step forward to remain undefeated throughout the series.
Again a thrilling match, with super over fun! Just when you would have thought that NZ is about to break the winning streak of India, the Indian bowlers perform exceptionally well. It seemed that we are watching the 3rd match (minus Kane Williamson and Rohit Sharma) all over again at the last couple of overs where the bowlers restricted the Kiwis to reach the target of 166.
Also Read: Yuvraj Singh Is All Praises For Rohit Over His Brilliant Super-Over Heroics
The match tied at 165 runs, courtesy Shardul Thakur with his exceptional 20th over. This was followed by a super-over where Jasprit Bumrah gave away 13 runs along with a wicket of Tim Seifert. Then came KL Rahul and captain Virat Kohli to chase the runs in the extra over. 15 was the target but both the players knocked 16 runs in only five balls of the over.
India did have some early fall of wickets but skipper Manish Pandey with his half-century managed to take the team to a respectable total of 165 runs. With this, India has taken a lead in the series by a massive margin (4-0).
Sanju Samson, who got a chance in the A-squad for today's match, was sent at the place of one of the greatest openers of the world Rohit Sharma, so, he had a huge responsibility. However, it was a bit disappointing to see him walk back to the pavilion with just 8 runs in 5 balls.
Also Read: Ind vs NZ, 4th T20: Manish Pandey Lifts India To 165/8
Tim Southee, who was the acting captain of NZ for today's match, said, "It is very tough. To get ourselves the position we got today and then give them a chance... India grabbed it with both hands. When you got a young bowling attack, it's a critical decision (to bowl the Super Over) from a number of people. You make it tough on yourself when you a sniff to teams like India."
The last match of the series is scheduled to be played on 2nd February at Tauranga's Bay Oval. Though team India will be unaffected of the results, it will surely look forward to remaining unbeaten in the series. Soon after the series, both the teams will face each other in the 3-match ODI series starting from 5th February.
