India and New Zealand locked horns in the final T20I of the three-match series on Wednesday (1 February) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. As the two teams geared up for the series decider, the members of the Indian Women’s U19 team which won the T20 World Cup recently by beating England were also present at the venue. These members were also felicitated by Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar.
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After Hardik Pandya and Mitchell Santner walked back to the pavilion post the toss, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Roger Binny, Secretary Jay Shah, vice-president Rajeev Shukla and Sachin Tendulkar came together to present the girls with the five-crore prize announced by the board. The pictures of the felicitation ceremony have gone viral on social media with users lauding the gesture by the Indian cricket board.
BCCI also shared the video of the felicitation ceremony and Tendulkar's address to the girls.
Notably, Shafali Varma-led India beat England in the summit clash of the inaugural edition of the tournament to clinch the maiden title. India put on a dominant show with the ball, bundling the opposition for 68, and then chased down the total with ease.
Coming to the match between India and New Zealand, India captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bat first. India and New Zealand both made one change each to their playing lineups. While India brought back Umran Malik in place of Yuzvendra Chahal, New Zealand handed Ben Lister his T20I cap.
New Zealand (Playing XI): Finn Allen, Devon Conway(w), Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Lister, Blair Tickner
India (Playing XI): Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan(w), Rahul Tripathi, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Shivam Mavi, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh