From Sehwag to Harbhajan: Cricket fraternity reacts as Kohli & Co. slump to 8-wicket defeat in Ind vs NZ clash

KEY STORY

• Virat Kohli-led Team India suffered another devastating defeat at the ICC World T20 2021 on Sunday. Returning back to winning ways after a demoralising rout at the hands of Babar Azam’s Pakistan, Kane Williamson-led New Zealand side revived their ICC World T20 2021 campaign by outclassing the Kohli-led at the Dubai International Stadium. From Virender Sehwag to Irfan Pathan, a host of former cricketers and cricket pundits expressed their disappointment following India’s heartbreaking loss to New Zealand.

• Taking to Twitter after Kohli’s Team India slumped to an eight-wicket defeat against the Kiwis, legendary Indian opener Sehwag slammed the ‘poor’ shot selection of the Indian batters. “Very disappointing from India. NZ were amazing. India’s body language wasn’t great, poor shot selection & like few times in the past, New Zealand have virtually ensured we won’t make it to the next stage. This one will hurt India & time for some serious introspection,” Sehwag

Very disappointing from India. NZ were amazing. India’s body language wasn’t great, poor shot selection & like few times in the past, New Zealand have virtually ensured we won’t make it to the next stage. This one will hurt India & time for some serious introspection #IndvsNZ

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 31, 2021

Former Indian all-rounder Pathan congratulated Williamson & Co. after the Black Caps outplayed the Kohli-led Team India side in the virtual quarter-final of the ICC World T20 at the Dubai International Stadium. “In any big tournament you can’t change the playing 11 in just one game and get desired results. Players need stability And I’m surprised this is happening with some big names taking decisions,” Pathan tweeted. Former cricketers VVS Laxman, Wasim Jaffer, Aakash Chopra and veteran Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh have also reacted after India recorded another embarrassing defeat at the World Cup.

In any big tournament you can’t change the playing 11 in just one game and get desired results. Players need stability And I’m surprised this is happening with some big names taking decisions. #ind

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 31, 2021

Kuch log is baat se khafa hain ki unki Jeet se zyada hamari haar ke charche hain…

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 31, 2021

This defeat should hurt Team India. Tentative with the bat, their shot selection was questionable. New Zealand bowled superbly, but India made their task easier. With their net run rate also taking a beating, a semifinal spot looks a distant dream #INDvNZ #T20WorldCup

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 31, 2021

Come on lads ! Self belief 🇮🇳 #INDvsNZ

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) October 31, 2021

It's amazing and equally perplexing to see TEAM INDIA not being counted in many people's thoughts in moving forward in this tournament so far after just one match in one week.

This WEEK is the ultimate week and if India gets on a roll , nothing to stop them.

MOMENTUM is key

— DK (@DineshKarthik) October 31, 2021

💔

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) October 31, 2021

Talking about the match, New Zealand’s star pacer Trent Boult bagged three crucial wickets while spinner Ish Sodhi scalped a brace as Kohli-led Team India only managed to set up a total of 110/7 in their Group 2 match of Super 12 stage on Sunday. Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya were the only two batters of the Indian side who crossed the 20-run mark in the low-scoring encounter at Dubai. Chasing the paltry total, New Zealand skipper Williamson and Daryl Mitchell put 72 runs for the second wicket as the Black Caps upstaged India by 8 wickets.