Yet again India rise up and triumphed against the Black caps to win the decider the third ODI by six runs and continues the winning streak of seventh straight bilateral ODI series win by 2-1 on Sunday.
Rohit Sharma (147 off 138) and Virat Kohli (113 off 106) century’s powered India to the massive total of 337/6 after being put to bat first. They were simply unstoppable against New Zealand, bowling attack of the Kiwis seemed pretty weak not their usual style.Recently,Sharma and Kohli became the first ever pairing to complete four double hundred partnerships in ODIs.
Rohit and Kohli came together in the seventh over of India’s innings,as Shikar Dhanwan offered a simple catch at mid-off in Tim Southee’s over.The dangerous duo partnership of 230 runs in 211 balls was broken in the 42nd over by Santner the left-arm spinner, when Rohit hit one straight to long-off and walked back to the hut to a long ovation from the Kanpur crowd.
Kohli was sent back by Southee as New Zealand cameback in 40th.Only 33 runs was conceded b the bowlers in 40-45 overs.In came MS Dhoni (25 off 17) and Kedar Jadhav (18 off 10),who got some much needed boundaries in death overs.
Many personal milestones were achieved during this innings, the day belonged to captain Kohli who not only registered his 32nd ODI hundred but also became the fastest to reach 9000 ODI runs. Rohit became only the second player after Kohli to score more than 1,000 runs in the ODI format in 2017 scoring his 15th ton.
In the other end opener Martin Guptill (10) fell as Bumrah’s 50th ODI wicket, Munro and Kane Williamson (64) kept the visitors very much in the hunt with a 109-stand off 105 balls. The two had taken New Zealand to 152 for one in 24 overs,India was under pressure.India bounced back in the match with Yuzvendra Chahal removing pair.
The pressure was back on New Zealand as the required run rate went over 8, Ross Taylor and Latham had a lot to do. They batted well, completing a 79-run partnership off 69 balls with their team needing 91 off the last 10 overs. Bumrah broke through the 79-run stand to get rid of Taylor for a 47-ball 39.
Latham carried on and played flawless to take his team on the brink of victory alongside Henry Nicholls . Bhuvneshwar took the wicket of Nicholls and gave away only five runs in the 47th over comeback.Latham got run-out due to miscommunication between Colin de Grandhomme.
Required to defend 15 runs in the final over,Bumrah delivered yet again and conceded only eight runs in the 50th over. He bowled an astounding 32 dot balls in his 10-over spell.
For the better part of the match, Indian bowlers dished out an ordinary bowling performance but bounced back when it mattered the most in the final three overs.
