Indian batsmen didn't apply themselves: Sehwag

Virender Sehwag opined the toss played a crucial factor in India's defeat to New Zealand. © Getty

India put in a disappointing performance to slip towards a 47-run defeat against New Zealand in their opening encounter of the ICC World T20, 2016 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium in Nagpur on Tuesday (March 15). The trio of Ish Sodhi, Nathan McCullum and Mitchell Santner bowled with flight and guile to account for nine wickets as New Zealand successfully defended what was widely expected to have been a sub-par total of 126.

Commenting on India's poor show, Sehwag lamented the fact that the batsmen did not apply themselves. He further added that the toss played a vital role in helping New Zealand to pip India. However, the swashbuckling opener was pleased that the Indian Women's team started their World T20 campaign on a bright note with a 72-run victory against Bangladesh Women. "It was a mixed day for India. Women's team won against Bangladesh, but men's team lost to New Zealand. I believe India lost as the batsmen didn't apply themselves," Sehwag said in an exclusive chat with cricbuzz.

"If they had thought of playing (all) 120 deliveries, India could have won the game easily, but unfortunately, some soft dismissals and bad shot selection cost them dearly. Toss made a big difference as New Zealand won it and batted first, and they put on 126 runs on the board. And when India were chasing, they batted only 18.1 overs and got all-out for 79."

Sehwag, though, praised New Zealand for their well-executed strategy. The visitors picked three spinners and dropped the able pace duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee. "I was surprised when I saw that Southee and Boult were not part of New Zealand's playing XI. I thought they planned really well and their strategy was good. That is why they picked three spinners. New Zealand's spinners picked nine wickets between them."

When Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni rotated the strike with singles and twos to keep the scorecard ticking, India were still in the game. However, Sodhi picked up the crucial wickets of Kohli and Jadeja in successive overs to ensure New Zealand took control of the proceedings. Sehwag reckoned that those two scalps of Kohli and Jadeja turned the game in New Zealand's favour.

"I think when Sodhi got Kohli and Jadeja's wickets in two overs, it was a big moment for New Zealand. The way Kohli and Dhoni were batting, it looked like they will play till the end and finish the game. Unfortunately, Sodhi got Kohli's wicket and then Jadeja's wicket, and the Indian batting collapsed.

Sehwag summed up by saying that if India play to their potential, they can still overcome Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh in their group and progress to the semi-final. "I predicted that New Zealand and India will qualify from the group. I hope that India will cope up with this defeat and come hard at Pakistan and try to win that game. I am sure that if they play to their potential, they will beat Pakistan, Australia and Bangladesh."