Tim Seifert batted with tremendous spirit and produced one of the more spirited half-centuries of the T20 World Cup. Unfortunately for New Zealand, his runs came in a match that had been decided well before his innings gathered momentum, and they were unable to prevent his side from being bowled out for 159 in a 96-run defeat to India in the final.
India’s dominance with the bat had made Seifert’s task impossible from the outset. Their 255-run total was built on a powerplay score of 92 for no loss in six overs, three top-order fifties, and the late assault of Dube’s final over. At no point in their innings did India look anything other than completely in control, and when New Zealand’s batters came out they faced an essentially unachievable task.
Allen was gone for nine in the third over, robbing New Zealand of their most destructive weapon. Their next three batters scored nine runs between them — matching Allen’s contribution in far more deliveries. The middle order provided no momentum, and the burden of making the game at least look competitive fell almost entirely on Seifert.
The keeper-batter fought admirably, running hard, striking cleanly, and refusing to capitulate to Bumrah’s pressure. But Bumrah eventually prevailed, as he has against almost everyone throughout this tournament, and three of New Zealand’s wickets went to the fast bowler’s slow yorkers. Fielding lapses from Dube and Pandya dropped two catches but could not save New Zealand from defeat.
Seifert will take some personal satisfaction from a fine half-century in a World Cup final. New Zealand will take none from a fourth final loss since 2015. India will take the trophy, the history books, and the title of the best T20 team on the planet.
Seifert’s Brave Half-Century a Lone Highlight in New Zealand’s Final Capitulation
