Highlights, IND vs NZ 3rd ODI: India Beat New Zealand By 7 Wickets To Take Unbeatable 3-0 Lead
Highlights: India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI: India defeated New Zealand by seven wickets to take an unassailable 3-0 lead.
India beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the third one-day international (ODI) at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Monday to take the series with two games to spare. Rohit Sharma (62) and Virat Kohli (60) put on 113 runs for the second wicket as India reached their 244-run target with 42 balls left. New Zealand were all out for 243 in the 49th over with Ross Taylor making 93 and Tom Latham 51. India won the first two games by eight wickets and 90 runs respectively. (SCORECARD)
Earlier, Pacer Mohammed Shami starred with the ball taking three wickets helping India overcome veteran Ross Taylor's defiant 93 and restricting New Zealand to a below-par 243 in the crucial third ODI at the Bay Oval here on Monday. The former New Zealand skipper stood out with a 106-ball 93, laced with 9 boundaries to anchor the Kiwi innings that once again crumbled in good batting conditions. Besides Taylor, wicketkeeper Tom Latham contributed with a 64-ball 51, laced with a boundary and a six, even as the rest of the Kiwi batting looked pedestrian against the disciplined Indian bowling attack. Electing to bat on a slow track, New Zealand once again lost the early momentum after losing both openers -- Colin Munro (7) and Martin Guptill (13) in the first power play, to the pace duo of Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, respectively.
India Cricket Team
New Zealand Cricket Team
Virat Kohli
MS Dhoni
Kane Williamson
Ind vs NZ, 3rd ODI
India have the series wrapped up. This will give them a chance to test some the fringe players who have been waiting for their turn. New Zealand had an improved performance, but there's still plenty to work on. The fourth game is scheduled to take place in Hamilton, at 1500 local (0200 GMT). Tune in for that one. Take care!
India captain, Virat Kohli, says it's been amazing as they have had three clinical games. Praises the relentlessness of the side and mentions that's the part that pleases him the most. Adds that the confidence in the team is huge as everyone is hungry to perform. Informs that he's going to take a break for a while as he hasn't had one in a while, so is happy that he's going to do it after his team has won the series. States that there's plenty of young talent coming up through the ranks and he's looking forward to seeing them grow.
New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson, says this Indian side is number 1 in the world for a reason. Adds that there are lessons to take from this and they must better themselves as individuals and as a team. Further adds that the main lesson to take is how the Indians went about their business with the ball. States that in white-ball cricket, the margin for error isn't much, so have to keep that in mind. Reckons that there were some improvements in the batting department but they just have to take it a little bit further. Feels that if they took early wickets, it'd be easier for them to perform better in games.
Man of the Match, Mohammed Shami, says it's difficult to bowl against the wind. Adds that one bowler goes with it, one against it, but it's all part of the game as everyone has to adjust.
Half the job was done at the innings break. Chasing this not-so-big target down was never going to be an issue for this quality Indian side. The start set it up, then Rohit and Kohli built on that with their century stand (notching up fifties of their own) and then, the Rayudu-Karthik pair finished the job. The New Zealand bowlers didn't have much to defend, but could have certainly done much better. Maybe they can take a leaf out of India's book as they were disciplined and ruthless with the ball, not giving away anything easily.
You can only marvel at the ease with which India manage to chase down totals. As it has been in the series so far, it's another controlled and comfortable win for the Men in Blue. They first did the business with the ball, keeping New Zealand to just 243 on a decent batting surface. The fact there was only one century stand, between Taylor and Latham who scored fifties, and the next highest was of 33, says plenty about how far this Indian side has come, especially as a bowling unit. It was a collective performance from them.
FIVE WIDES! In a fashion, but a victory is a victory. INDIA WIN BY 7 WICKETS AND WIN THE SERIES! Bracewell bangs it in short, it angles down, Rayudu doesn't do anything about it as it goes over him and the keeper to the fence behind.
Doug Bracewell brought into the attack.
Hits it to the man at covers and ends the over.
Flighted leg break around off, just behind a driving length, Dinesh is forward as he tamely pushes it to cover-point.