Thaindian News

London, June 2 (IANS) India failed to beat New Zealand in a warm-up game at Lord’s Monday, falling short by nine runs.
New Zealand have not lost any twenty-twenty match to India, winning all their four matches.

Chasing a 171-run target, the Indians could muster 161 for six in their 20 overs.

India lost wickets at critical stages despite make-shift opener Rohit Sharma’s rousing start.

Rohit scored a quickfire 36 off 20 balls with three sixes and three fours, Suresh Raina cracked 45 off 24 balls, also hitting three sixes and three fours, while Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten with 41 off 41 balls hitting three fours.

Skipper Dhoni, Pathan brothers - Yusuf and Irfan, and Gauram Gambhir failed to get going.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori claimed three wickets for 24 runs in three overs and he dismissed Dhoni and Rohit in the same over and later got dangerous Yusuf caught and bowled brilliantly.

India played without injured Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag who were indisposed.

Earlier, New Zealand score was swelled by some lusty hitting from Nathan McCullum (18, 14 balls, three fours) and James Franklin (27 not out, 10 balls, 3×4, 2×6) who plundered 31 runs off the last two overs of their innings after paceman Ishant Sharma rocked them with a four-wicket burst.

Ross Taylor top scored with 41 (33b, 3×4, 2×6) while Brendon McCullum (31, 19b, 4×4) and Scott Styris (29, 19b, 5X4) chipped in with useful contributions.

Brief scores:

New Zealand 170 for 7 (Brendon McCullum 31, Ross Taylor 41, Scott Styris 29, James Franklin 27 not out, Ishant Sharma four for 25, R.P. Singh 1 for 37, Pragyan Ojha 1 for 34, Harbhajan Singh 1 for 22.)