Nagpur: Anticipating a comprehensive victory by the Men in Blue, spectators had turned up in big numbers at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha. But much to their dismay, the Black Caps crushed the Indian team by 47 runs in the opening encounter.
New Zealand, who had never lost to India in their four previous meetings in T20Is, kept their record intact by defending a low score of 126 runs on a spin-friendly track.
India, touted as the favourites to win the tournament, looked clueless against Kiwi spin troika of Mitchell Santner, Nathan McCullum and Ish Sodhi.
After the shocking result, India are now up against Pakistan in their next match at the Eden Gardens to be played on March 19.
India have never lost to their arch-rivals in a World Cup match. The four times they have met in the past in the coveted tournament, Men in Blue have emerged victorious, as a result of which they have a 4-0 record.
Irrespective of the tournament, there is huge pressure on players from both teams in an India-Pakistan match. But now that they have lost the first match, there will be enormous pressure on Mahendra Singh Dhoni & Co since they will be playing in front of the home crowd.
After the humiliation against the Kiwis, it's redemption time for the Men in Blue.
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