[Watch] Naman Dhir pulls off acrobatic catch to end Finn Allen's innings in 3rd T20I at Wellington

The third T20I between New Zealand and India at Hnry Stadium in Wellington produced a standout fielding moment when Naman Dhir completed an acrobatic catch at long-on to send opener Finn Allen back to the pavilion. Allen had been in full flow before Dhir moved forward, judged the ball's trajectory and timed his jump to complete the dismissal cleanly. India captain Shreyas Iyer had chosen to bowl first under cold and windy conditions in Wellington.

Dhir's catch removes Allen at long-on

India struck early through Arshdeep Singh as the left-arm seamer dismissed Tim Seifert before Allen and Daryl Mitchell put together a substantial partnership. Allen was in an aggressive mood, clearing the boundary with remarkable ease during the early stages of the New Zealand innings. The opener struck 40 runs off just 25 deliveries, including five sixes, at a strike rate of 160.

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The breakthrough came on the third ball of the ninth over, when New Zealand were placed at 90/2. Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled a full delivery that tempted Allen into attempting another big hit. Allen could not get sufficiently underneath the ball to send it over the rope, and Dhir, stationed at long-on, moved forward, judged the flight and completed the catch to end the entertaining innings.

Mitchell and Jacobs power New Zealand to 198/3

The Allen-Mitchell partnership had added 86 runs before Dhir's intervention brought it to a close. The dismissal arrived at a point when New Zealand were building towards a large total, and the catch was quickly noted as one of the standout moments of the contest, with Dhir showing sharp awareness, athleticism and concentration.

Despite losing Allen, New Zealand continued to score at a brisk rate. Daryl Mitchell finished unbeaten on 89 off 52 deliveries, striking five fours and five sixes to anchor the hosts' late acceleration. Bevon Jacobs contributed a rapid 39* off 23 balls at the other end, complementing Mitchell's innings as New Zealand maintained their attacking approach throughout. The hosts posted a total of 198/3 in their 20 overs.

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However, the total was made to look pedestrian by the Indian openers, who forged a 133-run stand in just seven overs. Abhishek Sharma stood out with a 38-ball 133, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi chipped in with 45 off 19 deliveries. India won the match by six wickets, chasing down the target in 13.2 overs. The Men in Blue took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series with two games to spare.