Rohit Sharma vs Trent Boult was set to be one of the key matchups as India faced New Zealand in the first T20I of the three-match series starting November 17. Well, the battle was just up to mark. The two presented their A games against each other, Rohit dominating for most of the evening but Boult having the last laugh. 

India won the match by five wickets. 

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Heading into the game, Trent Boult had dismissed Rohit Sharma thrice in eight innings. The Indian skipper, on the other hand, is the third-highest scorer against New Zealand in T20Is, scoring 400 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of close to 140. He has scored the most 50+ scores against the side. 

At Jaipur, on Wednesday, Rohit scored 48 runs off 36 balls against New Zealand. His innings included five boundaries and two maximums. He and fellow opener KL Rahul (15 off 14) set a 51-run opening stand, forming the foundation of India’s win. 

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A key moment in the Rohit vs Boult battle came in the fifth over. Rohit Sharma hit Boult for three consecutive boundaries (two fours and onw six). On the third delivery, the batsman looked to hook a vicious short ball only to see it fly over the keeper’s head for a four. The next delivery saw the Indian skipper open his bat face and steer the ball into the gap to third man for a boundary. Then Rohit simply pulled one over over deep backward square leg for six. The over eventually went for 21 runs. 

Prior to the T20 World Cup, where Rohit Sharma could manage only 14 runs, he had scored two consecutive half-centuries against New Zealand. 

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In the first T20I, however, the Mumbai Indian opener, missed on his half-century. And, interestingly, was foxed by Trent Boult. 

On the second ball of the 14th over, Boult set a slower ball bouncer trap. The ball went down the  leg-side, with short fine inside the ring. Rohit didn’t pick up the speed and mistimed it to the fielder. 

Boult had the last laugh.