New Zealand vs India 3rd T20I First Innings Update as Mitchell Stars

The NZ vs Ind first inning ended with New Zealand at 198/3 after 20 overs. Daryl Mitchell produced an unbeaten 88 off 52 balls, while Bevon Jacobs added an unbeaten 39 off 23 deliveries to give the hosts a strong finish.

India won the toss and elected to bowl, hoping to tighten their grip on a five-match series they lead 2-0. They now have 199 runs to chase if they are to secure a third consecutive victory.

Mitchell was the backbone of the New Zealand innings. He struck five fours and five sixes, maintaining a strike rate of 169.23 to keep the hosts moving despite losing three wickets.

Mitchell and Jacobs lift New Zealand

New Zealand lost Tim Seifert for just two runs in the second over, with Arshdeep Singh taking the early wicket. Finn Allen responded with an aggressive innings, scoring 40 off 25 balls with five sixes.

Allen's dismissal at 90/2 in 8.3 overs brought Glenn Phillips to the crease. Phillips made 17 from 14 deliveries before Axar Patel dismissed him, leaving New Zealand at 123/3 after 12 overs.

India had an opportunity to slow the scoring, but Bevon Jacobs ensured the hosts finished strongly. He remained unbeaten on 39 from 23 balls, hitting four fours and one six.

Mitchell and Jacobs added valuable runs during the closing overs, taking New Zealand to 198 without another wicket falling. Their partnership gave the hosts a competitive total, even though they stopped short of the 200-run mark.

India keep the target below 200

The New Zealand 198/3 vs India first-innings score reflects a productive batting effort, but India will take encouragement from restricting the hosts to fewer than 200 runs after the strong finish.

Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed one wicket each. Axar returned figures of 1/36 from four overs, while Arshdeep conceded 33 runs in his four-over spell. Reddy finished with 1/38.

The other two Indian bowlers had a more expensive outing. Bhuvneshwar Kumar conceded 40 runs without a wicket, while Prince Yadav gave away 43 in his four overs.

India will need a solid start in the chase, with 9.95 runs per over required to reach the target. The opening partnership could prove important, particularly against a New Zealand side that has enough runs on the board to put pressure on the visitors.

The New Zealand vs India 3rd T20I remains an important contest for both teams. India are chasing a 3-0 series lead, while New Zealand need a victory to stay alive in the five-match series.