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Colin Munro's unbeaten century was the difference between the two sides as New Zealand beat India by 40 runs in the second T20I at Rajkot to level the three-match series 1-1. Virat Kohli's fifty and MS Dhoni's 49 weren't enough as India lost another T20I against New Zealand.
Virat Kohli
I mean I thought New Zealand were pretty good with the bat. We did not take our chances. At one stage we were looking at 225-230 but credit to Bumrah and Bhuvi to have pulled things back. I think we were pretty happy with the way the last 5 overs went. But eventually, we were not good with the bat.
When you are chasing 200, all the batsmen need to chip in or one guy needs to go over the strike rate of 200. Once you lose a couple of wickets, it becomes tough to pick up your areas. MS was very good in the end, but we left ourselves too much to get. That happens, you want to go for big shots. But you don't. It has happened with a lot of batsmen where you don't get to go on strike. But that's how the game goes.
Hardik has done the job for us many times. We back them to do well. Not during the early half of the innings. Maybe after 13-14 overs, it started gripping. No excuses, we were not good with the bat. We admit that. There was not any dew that we thought would settle in. We lost the toss, we did not get to choose what we would have done. We were just not good enough on the day.
Kane Williamson
I guess a contrasting performance from the last game. Certainly an improved performance. We need to play well to beat this side, and we were able to do so today. Absolutely, it was a great partnership. A fantastic hundred from him (Munro). When anyone bats like this, it goes a long way in getting a good total when you are batting first.
Guptill at the top and then Tom Bruce coming in. It was a great pitch, fast outfield and the guys executed their plans well. Great performance from the bowlers on this wicket. Two spinners, they are pretty experienced in this format and they bowled well during tough phases of the game.
Colin Munro
Few chances went my way, but that's T20 cricket, you need luck. Felt good with the bat, but had been getting out at funny times. Love batting at the top of the order. The way I and Guptill batted today, it was great. The way I bat, it is the same every time: when I am chasing a target of 120 or above 200, get out there, stay still and try and hit the ball for four or six or if it is not there, get off the strike. It came off today, play the ball on its merit and swing hard.
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