A test for bowlers is what India wanted

Axar Patel reacts after dismissing New Zealand’s Mark Chapman yesterday

India chose to field second in the third and final T20 International against New Zealand here at the Eden Gardens on Sunday for a significant reason: To test their bowlers to stop the flow of runs and get wickets against a team which proved that they can beat the best in business at the recently concluded World Cup where they lost the final to neighbours Australia.

And the Indians got what they wanted considering they claimed four New Zealand wickets inside 11 overs - thanks to Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Chief selector Chetan Sharma appeared a happy man after having watched India compile 184 for seven with Rohit Sharma hitting the high notes on his happy hunting ground with 56 off 31 balls. Each of his three sixes produced a huge roar at the iconic ground. Rohit averages 135.50 at this ground in ODI cricket, thanks mainly to his 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014. He scored seven against the Australians in 2017.

In Test cricket, he hit 177 against the West Indies in the 2013 game.

However, in the two T20Is at Eden, he could manage only 16 runs, so he made amends in a way. Chetan was also delighted to watch tailender Deepak Chahar slam 21 off eight balls.