India's stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer remained upbeat despite a 16-run defeat in the third T20I against New Zealand, stressing that the team must learn from its mistakes and maintain a positive intent. The loss in Ahmedabad on Wednesday gave New Zealand an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
Match Summary and Key Moments
Chasing 161 for victory, India managed only 144/7 in their 20 overs, falling short by 16 runs. The visitors posted 160/6 after being put in to bat, with opener Finn Allen smashing 50 off 35 balls and Glenn Phillips contributing a brisk 34. For India, Deepak Chahar and Washington Sundar took two wickets each.
In response, India lost early wickets but Shubman Gill (39 off 34) and Hardik Pandya (30 off 18) kept the chase alive. However, a middle-order collapse and tight bowling from the Kiwis, led by Lockie Ferguson (2/24), stifled India's momentum. Iyer himself scored 20 off 24 before being dismissed by Ferguson.
Iyer's Positive Outlook
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Iyer said, "We have to stay positive and look at the brighter side. There are a lot of learnings from this game. We need to go back, rectify our mistakes, and come back stronger." He acknowledged that the team's batting fell short, particularly in handling pressure situations.
"We lost wickets at crucial junctures, and that hurt us. But the boys showed intent, and that's what we want to see. The series is not over yet; we have two more games to bounce back," Iyer added.
Areas of Concern for India
India's batting has been a major worry in the series, with the top order failing to convert starts into substantial scores. The team has struggled against New Zealand's spinners, who have exploited the turning tracks. In the third T20I, Mitchell Santner (1/24) and Ish Sodhi (1/27) kept the scoring rate in check.
Iyer emphasized the need for better shot selection and game awareness. "We are making the same mistakes repeatedly. It's about learning and adapting quickly. The bowlers have done a decent job, but as a batting unit, we need to take more responsibility," he said.
New Zealand's Dominance
New Zealand have been clinical in all departments, with their bowlers executing plans effectively and batsmen finishing games. Captain Tim Southee praised his team's all-round performance. "The bowlers set it up, and the batsmen finished well. We are playing good cricket, but we know India will come hard in the next game," Southee said.
The visitors have now won six consecutive T20Is against India, underlining their dominance in the format.
Looking Ahead
The fourth T20I is scheduled for Saturday in Rajkot. Iyer confirmed that the team would look to experiment and give opportunities to players on the bench. "We have a strong squad. It's about giving everyone a chance and building depth for the future. The focus is on finishing the series on a high," he stated.
India have not won a T20I series since November 2024, and Iyer is keen to reverse the trend. "We have the talent and the belief. It's just about executing our plans under pressure. We will come back stronger," he concluded.
