New Zealand vs India 2019, 3rd ODI: India clinches ODI series after 10 years

Another emphatic win for India, as they defeat New Zealand by 7 wickets in the third ODI of the five-match series, thereby clinching the series 3-0.

Hardik Shines in his comeback

Hardik Pandya and Mohammed Shami starred with the ball restricting New Zealand to 243 runs. Shami dismissed Ross Taylor when he was looking dangerous. Hardik sent back Nicholls and Santner cheaply and took a spectacular catch on the field to announce his return in style. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami tormented the Kiwi openers, to ensure their bad run with the bat continues.

For New Zealand, Ross Taylor and wicketkeeper Tom Latham scored half centuries each and took their team to a respectable position with their 119 runs partnership. New Zealand was bowled out for 243 runs.

All round batting performance

It was an all-round performance by team India with both, the captain and vice-captain, scoring half-centuries while chasing. Shikhar Dhawan gave a composite start to the chase, hitting six boundaries in his 28-run inning but was caught at slips off the bowling of Trent Boult. Rayudu and Karthik played very calmly to chase down the target comfortably with 7 overs in hand.

With this win, India has won an ODI series in New Zealand after 10 years. India last won an ODI series in 2009 by 3-1 under Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The cricket pundits thought that this series would be a close series but India played at another level, especially their bowling which was exemplary. With this, we can finally say that Team India has taken the revenge of the 2014 ODI loss when they lost the series by 4-0.

For now that India has sealed the series, players who were benched may be given a chance. Shubman Gill might be included in the playing XI, for the next 2 matches as Virat Kohli is being rested for the remainder of the tour.

Rohit Sharma will take over the captaincy for the remaining ODIs and T20I series in the absence of Kohli.