In Photos: India vs NZ, 3rd ODI – Twin Centuries Help India Complete Clean Sweep
India vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI: Kuldeep Yadav and Shardul Thakur were the best performers with the ball for India.
India vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI: India defeated New Zealand by 90 runs here at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, to complete a remarkable clean sweep.
(Photo: BCCI)
New Zealand skipper Tom Latham won the toss here at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Tuesday, 24 January, and asked Rohit Sharma’s team to bat first.
Having won the first two matches, India had already sealed the fate of the series. The men in blue, however, looked determined to do a whitewash, as they brought their 'A' game to the fore.
The opening partnership of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill worked wonders for India yet again, as the duo added 212 runs for the first-wicket stand, which helped the hosts put up a massive total of 385/9.
The Indian skipper brought up his 30th ODI ton, scoring 101 runs in only 85 deliveries. The 35-year-old struck nine fours and six maximums today.
Having scored a double century in the first match of the series, Shubman Gill brought up his fourth ODI century with a 78-ball 112.
Virat Kohli got off to a good start, but he could not capitalise on it. The former skipper scored a quickfire 27-ball 36.
India’s most precious T20I asset, Suryakumar Yadav’s woes in the ODI format continues as he could score only 14 runs before losing his wicket to Jacob Duffy.
While the foundation was laid by the openers, India could not have accumulated 385 runs without the finishing touches applied by Hardik Pandya.
The all-rounder scored 54 runs in only 38 deliveries, bringing up his ninth ODI half-century in the process.
Shardul Thakur should also be credited for his crucial last-ditch cameo. He scored 25 runs in 17 deliveries, which included three fours and a six.
For New Zealand, Blair Tickner was the most influential bowler, as he scalped three wickets by conceding 76 runs in his 10 overs.
In the chase, the Kiwis desperately needed a strong response, but it was not to be as opener Finn Allen departed for a duck. The young swashbuckler was clean bowled by Hardik Pandya.
Coming in at number three, Henry Nicholls played his part in a bid of keeping the visitors in the hunt. The left-handed batter accumulated 42 runs in 40 deliveries, which included three fours and a couple of sixes.
The main highlight of New Zealand’s innings, however, was Devon Conway. The 31-year-old brought up his second ODI century, as he smashed 138 runs in 100 deliveries. His knock included as many as 12 fours, with eight maximums as well.
A 106-run stand for the second wicket kept the game in perfect equilibrium, until Kuldeep Yadav wreaked havoc. His first victim was Henry Nicholls in the 15th over, before he added two more to his tally by dismissing Michael Bracewell and Lockie Ferguson.
Barring Kuldeep, Shardul Thakur also had a day to remember with the ball, having already showcased his potential with the bat earlier. He picked up 3 wickets by conceding 45 runs.
Young pacer Umran Malik did not have the best of outings, conceding 52 runs in his seven-over spell, though he did manage to pick up a wicket. The speedster dismissed Conway in the 32nd over.
Michael Bracewell, who has been among the rare good performers from the Kiwis in this series, tried to see his team over the line. However, he could not contribute more than 26 runs.
Ultimately, the visitors were bundled out for 295 in the 42nd over, as India secured a comfortable 90-run triumph.
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