The third match of the three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand, which was held at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, ended in a washout. Chasing a target of 220 runs, New Zealand scored 104/1 after 18 overs before the rain interruption. With this result, the hosts won the series 1-0.
The Kiwis looked in complete control of the chase as the Indian bowlers could not make any inroads. The first four overs were good from the Indian perspective, as they produced only nine runs, but both Finn Allen and Devon Conway took the game away from the visitors once they got their eyes in.
The ninth over of the innings, bowled by Umran Malik, yielded nine runs and the Blackcaps’ openers did not look back ever since.
The onslaught continued, with the next two overs producing 28 runs, as the introduction of Washington Sundar in the bowling attack could not do the trick for India either.
Allen departed after scoring a 54-ball 57 in the 17th over, but by then, the game had already slipped out of India’s reach. Having played spoilsport many often in this series, rain re-appeared after 18 overs as the game was subsequently washed out.
While the Kiwis were ahead 50 runs ahead on DLS, a minimum of 20 overs needed to be bowled for the match to have a result.
Washington Sundar's Half-Century Goes in Vain
Earlier, India scored 219 runs after being asked to bat first by New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson. Openers Shubman Gill and skipper built a 39-run opening partnership before the former was dismissed by Adam Milne.
One wicket brought another as Dhawan also departed soon after, with Milne adding another wicket to his tally. Playing at number three, Shreyas Iyer did well to hold the fort from one end, but he did not get any support from the other end.
Rishabh Pant, Deepak Hooda and in-form batter Suryakumar Yadav combined to score merely 28 runs, as India went from 55/1 to 121/5. Iyer missed his 14th ODI half-century by a solitary run as the Blackcaps’ bowlers wreaked havoc.
However, just when it seemed that India will be bowled out for under 200, Washington Sundar offered stern resilience. Despite his inexperience in the international circuit, the all-rounder showed exemplary composure under pressure to help India post a challenging total.
Sundar scored his maiden ODI half-century before losing his wicket to Tim Southee in the 48th over. However, his contribution propelled India from a spot of bother at 149/6 to a total of 219 runs.
For New Zealand, Adam Milne was one of the most successful bowlers as he registered impressive figures of 10-0-57-3. Besides him, part-timer Daryl Mitchell also did a commendable job, as he too scalped a three-wicket haul.
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