India skipper Hardik Pandya, who played a crucial knock and helped his side end the rain-affected third and final T20I against New Zealand in a tie via Duckworth-Lewis method following rain interruption here on Tuesday, said that the attack was the best defence on the wicket, given the quality of opposition bowlers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj (4\/17) and Arshdeep Singh (4\/37) produced the sensational bowling performances and scalped four wickets four wickets each to bowl out Black Caps for 160 despite fighting half-centuries by Devon Conway (59 off 49) and Glenn Phillips (54 off 33).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chasing 161 to win, India were reeling at 21\/3 in 2.5 overs but Pandya hit three boundaries and a six during his unbeaten knock and along with Deepak Hooda (9 not out off 9) took India to 75\/4 in 9 overs when rain stopped play.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
According to DLS, 76 would have been the winning score for India after 9 overs but they were 75, which was the par score. With incessant rain lashing the McLean Park, the match couldn't be resumed and eventually it ended in a tie as India clinched the three-match series 1-0, courtesy their 65-run win in the second game in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The first game between the two sides at Wellington was washed out without a ball being bowled.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Would have liked to win the game by playing the full overs, but it is what it is. At some point, I felt attack is the best defence on this wicket. We know the kind of bowling attacks they have, it was very important to get those 10-15 runs extra even though we lost a couple of wickets," Hardik said during the post-match presentation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
As per Indian skipper, a tough game like this, would have given an opportunity to test some of the players, but weather didn't allow it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"A game like this could have given us an opportunity to test some of the players, but having said weather is something we cannot control," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The star all-rounder has been rested for the ODI series starting on November 25, with Shikhar Dhawan leading the side.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"A game like this could have given us an opportunity to test some of the players, but having said weather is something we cannot control," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n