Watch: MS Dhoni comes up with unique one-handed shot to prevent his stumping
After a thumping loss in the first T20I, the Indian bowlers came back strongly to help the Men in Blue level the series 1-1 at Eden Park in Auckland.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed bowled impressively in the Powerplay overs as well as in the death overs. New Zealand could only manage 158 from their 20 overs. The Indian openers gave a blistering start before MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant sealed victory.
During the run-chase, Dhoni played an unusual shot that surprised the cricketing fans. The incident happened in the 16th over of the run chase. India were cruising at the start of the 16th over with the scorecard reading 129/3. With 30 runs required off 30 balls, it was a comfortable equation for the visitors.
Ish Sodhi, who picked the key wicket of Rohit Sharma, was brought back into the attack to create some magic. Looking to attack Sodhi from the outset, Dhoni came down the track but could only manage a single in the first ball of the over.
Dhoni tried to do the same in the fifth ball but Sodhi guessed the move and threw the ball well outside off in order to get him out stumped. Dhoni realized the fact that he was deceived by the bowler. He then quickly retaliated and lunged forward to glide the ball with one hand towards point for a single.
The commentators and the fans enjoyed the unique shot of the former India captain. He has developed a habit of playing some unusual shots against spinners. Dhoni, along with Pant, took India home with an over to spare. The right-hander scored 20 runs off 17 balls and remained unbeaten to guide the Men in Blue to the target.
Krunal Pandya put the brakes on the New Zealand top order after they looked poised towards a formidable score. The left-arm spinner picked up two wickets in his first over before getting the crucial wicket of Kane Williamson. He finished with figures of 3/28 and was named Man of the Match.
India will go to Seddon Park in Hamilton for the series decider on Sunday. With the Men in Blue having a great record in T20I series deciders, their supporters will be expecting them to win another trophy.