'There shouldn’t be any Super Overs at all' - Kane Williamson after the T20I defeat against India

New Zealand and Super Overs is a story that has been breaking hearts ever since 2008 when West Indies demolished Daniel Vettori’s side after Chris Gayle had smashed 25 runs off the off-spinner. Since then, the Kiwis have found themselves in six Super Overs in T20Is and one in ODI cricket and won only once, against Australia in 2010.

This time again, it was a similar story for the Kane Williamson side. They had restricted the Indian team to 179 runs despite an early onslaught by Rohit Sharma, who made 65 runs and Virat Kohli, who made 38. KL Rahul contributed 27 runs, while for the New Zealand team, Hamish Bennett picked 3/54 in his four overs. The total was a par one, but India knew early wickets could do wonders for them.

Guptill (31) and Munro (14) tried to give a flying start to their team, but it all came down to Kane Williamson, who played an amazing inning of 95 in just 48 balls with 6 sixes and 8 fours to this name. He got out in the last over, trying to finish the game after Taylor had hit Shami for a six on the first ball when nine runs were needed to win. Shami made a good comeback, removing Taylor with the last ball, to tie the match.

“Super Overs haven’t really been our friend”: Kane Williamson

New Zealand batted first in the Super Over and Williamson hit a six as the Kiwis posted a formidable total of 17 runs, against Bumrah, who didn’t have a good day with the ball as he gave away 45 runs in the match and got blasted again in the Super Over.

Unfortunately, for Williamson, Rohit Sharma had got his form back and though KL Rahul hit one four, Rohit was on the strike when 10 runs were needed off the last two balls. It was at that moment when Tim Southee came under pressure. Rohit hit two sixes and steered India to its first T20I series win in India. this was the first-ever super over for India in T20I cricket and the first one Rohit Sharma has been in T20 cricket.

During the post-match conference, Kane Williamson was quoted as saying, “In my opinion shouldn’t have them at all… We came second in Super Overs tonight again but they are quite fun.”

Kane Williamson about Super Overs: In my opinion shouldn’t have them at all (says hushly)… We came second in Super Overs tonight again but they are quite fun. #NZvInd

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) January 29, 2020