Confusion over Power Play

Even as India was on the verge of victory, play was stopped for more than five minutes before the start of the 29th over of the New Zealand innings because of a confusion over the batting Power Play.

Later, Kyle Mills, in the middle during the period, revealed he had informed Mahendra Singh Dhoni that the Kiwis had opted for the Power Play before the 25th over.

The Indian captain set his field accordingly. Mills assumed that umpire Asad Rauf had heard him too but that was not the case.

When Ashish Nehra, before beginning the 29th over, clarified with the umpire about the state of the Power Play overs, he was informed that the batch of five overs had not yet been taken. In the next few minutes, both the fielding side and the two batsmen had to convince the umpires that as many as four Power Play overs had already concluded. After a lengthy discussion, they succeeded in doing so.

There was no issue between the sides. Later, New Zealand captain Ross Taylor said in a humorous vein, “He (the umpire) should have seen that there were only three fielders guarding the boundary.”

Sehwag satisfied

Man of the match Virender Sehwag was pleased that he scored a hundred in a winning cause. “It was a better wicket to bat on today. I was striking the ball well but was disappointed that I could not stay longer after the hundred. Had I done so, we could have got close to around 280.”

Sehwag said it was not easy for the younger batsmen to bat in these conditions. “You cannot judge others by the way I bat here. I have a lot more experience.”

The dashing opener complimented the pacemen for bowling in the right areas.

“All the four pacemen did extremely well. We are happy to be in the final. We have beaten Sri Lanka once and they have beaten us once in the tournament. The final will be a big game.”

Taylor said it was disappointing to lose a vital match in such a fashion.

“Sehwag was brilliant with the bat. Then, the Indian pacemen were very good. They bowled full and straight and moved the ball. But we are a young side and have gained much from the tournament.”

Keywords: India, New Zealand, tri-series