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.
Earlier Williamson’s fluent 118 helped New Zealand post 242 for nine as Indian bowlers checked the visiting total with late strikes.
New Zealand bowlers also came back strong to hurt India’s reply with early strikes as the hosts slipped to 73 for four.
Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner got the big wicket of Virat Kohli (9) with wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi taking a great reflex catch down the leg side.
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (39) and Kedar Jadhav put on 66 runs for the fifth wicket in their effort to steady the Indian innings with their aggressive style of play.
Jadhav, playing only his ninth ODI for India, counter attacked during his 37-ball 41 as he hit 2 fours and 2 sixes before falling to Matt Henry.
Dhoni looked like anchoring the innings but a superb caught and bowled effort from Southee saw the back of the wicketkeeper-batsman as India slipped further.
Dhoni’s 65-ball knock saw 37 dot deliveries as the runs required grew more than the balls remaining.
Williamson turned to part-time spinner Martin Guptill, who took two wickets in his only over to choke India’s chase.
But Pandya never gave up as he put on 49 runs for the ninth wicket with Umesh Yadav, who remained unbeaten on 18, as the duo gave the Black Caps a big scare.
