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Hosts India lose ICC World Twenty20 opener to New Zealand

Tournament hosts India fall to a 47-run defeat at the hands of New Zealand on the opening day of the ICC World Twenty20.

Pre-tournament favourites India suffered an unexpected 47-run defeat to New Zealand in the opening match of this year's ICC World Twenty20 competition.

The Kiwis sprung a surprise before a ball had even been bowled with the news that pace-bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee had been dropped in favour of spin options.

It seemed that decision had backfired when having won the toss and elected to bat first, they only managed to score 126-7 from their 20 overs.

Corey Anderson top-scored with 34 runs, while just four New Zealand batsmen reached doubled figures. In fact, the extras column (13) was the team's third-highest contributor.

New Zealand batsman Corey Anderson plays a shot during the World T20 cricket tournament match against India on March 15, 2016© AFP

However, it was the bowling performance of slow left-arm Mitchell Santner that played a key role in dismissing the host nation for just 79 runs from 18.1 overs.

He took four wickets, while fellow spinner Ish Sodhi also weighed in by claiming three, one of which was that of dangerman Virat Kohli for 23.

It ended up being a disastrous reply from the Indians, who saw eight of their batsmen fail to score more than five runs.

They must now beat Pakistan on Saturday to stand any realistic chance of progressing to the semi-finals, while New Zealand face Australia a day earlier.

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A general view of the wicket during day one of the Third Test match between England and India at the Oval on August 9, 2007
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