WELLINGTON: India snatched an exciting solitary run victory over New Zealand on the penultimate ball of the last over in the three nation Rothmans International limited overs cricket tournament here on March 6th.

Batting first on placid wicket, India raised a competitive 221 off 48.2 overs in the match reduced to a 49 over a side,

The tourists then gallantly fought their way back into a match of fluctuating fortunes to dismiss the kiwis for 220 off 48.5 overs.

The victory salvaged India’s bruised pride to some extent.

Eleven runs separated Richard Hadlee and the kiwis from victory when Kapil Dev began the last over amidst a 10,000 strong crowd chanting “Richard show them.”

Hadlee edged the first delivery for a four through slips, cut the next for two runs, and stole two more with a lofted shot at long on to bring them within hand shaking distance with victory, they needed just three runs off three deliveries.

Driving the fourth delivery from Kapil Dev to mid-off Hadlee and Snedden set off for a comfortable single but in trying the second, Sneddin was stranded to be run out.

With the scoring reading 220 for nine, and just two runs required off two balls, Hadlee swung his bat to Kapil Dev’s near half volley, missed, and the ball crashed into the stumps to end the kiwi challenge,

Article extracted from this publication >> March 16, 1990