CHENNAI, India - New Zealand pipped India by one run in a thrilling Twenty20 international in Chennai to ruin cancer survivor Yuvraj Singh’s return to big-time cricket.
Brendon McCullum smashed 91 off 55 balls as the Kiwis posted 5-167 and then restricted the hosts to 4-166 despite Virat Kohli’s 70 from 41 deliveries and a valiant 34 from Yuvraj.
Yuvraj, who was treated for a rare germ-cell tumour between his lungs earlier this year, bowled two wicketless overs for 14 runs, took a catch and hit one four and two sixes.
But it was not enough to secure victory for his team as the Black Caps fought back in the final overs to pull off a brilliant win in front of 25,000 disappointed home fans on Tuesday.
“There are mixed emotions,” a visibly moved Yuvraj said later. “We lost a game that we should have won, but for me personally it was a big emotional moment to get on the field.
“I had tears in my eyes when we were fielding, luckily the cameras did not catch it. I think I am timing the ball well and it can only get better from here.”
India were cruising at 2-120 in the 14th over when left-arm seamer James Franklin turned the match around by having Kohli caught in the deep.