India vs New Zealand 2019: India Seals Series, Takes Impregnable 3-0 Lead

India cruised to another comprehensive win against New Zealand in the third ODI at Bay Oval on Monday (28 January). The visitors were able to wrap the New Zealand innings on 243 runs and then chased down the target with seven wickets and as many overs in hand. Thus, the tourists have taken an impregnable lead of 3-0 and have sealed India vs New Zealand 2019 Netmeds series.

India vs New Zealand 2019: New Zealand first innings

New Zealand was skittled out for a paltry 243 runs after their skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and decided to bat first. The hosts once again could not get off to a good start after they lost both their openers in quick succession. Mohammed Shami was able to produce the outside edge of Colin Munro.

However, Dinesh Karthik, who was drafted into the playing XI in place of injured MS Dhoni, could not hold on to a difficult chance while diving to his left. But Colin Munro didn’t learn his lesson as he tried to go for another rash shot. However, this time, the left-hander didn’t get a reprieve as Rohit Sharma took a simple catch at first slip as Mohammed Shami was finally rewarded for his accurate line and length.

Martin Guptill followed Colin Munro’s footsteps as he also went for the extravagant drive. However, the combative right-hander could only find an outside edge which was easily taken by Dinesh Karthik. Thus, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was able to get into the wickets column.

Pandya made a roaring comeback.

Meanwhile, Kane Williamson could not get going. The New Zealand skipper advanced down the track against Yuzvendra Chahal and made the mistake of hitting the ball in the air. Hardik Pandya who was making his comeback into the playing XI after serving his suspension took a blinder at mid-wicket. Pandya flew like a bird to gulp the catch while diving to his left. Furthermore, Hardik Pandya scalped two wickets and conceded 45 runs in his 10 overs quota to announce his arrival.

Subsequently, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham added 119 runs to steady the ship after New Zealand lost three wickets for 59 runs. The Kiwis was once again looking down and out but these two batters came up with goods.

However, the southpaw wicketkeeper-batsman was dismissed soon after reaching his fifty. Latham shimmied down the track against Chahal and gave a simple catch to Ambati Rayudu at deep square leg. The hosts lost Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner in quick succession to once again find themselves on the backfoot.

Ross Taylor played a good knock of 93 runs but the right-hander could not get to his personal milestone as Mohammed Shami accounted for him. Shami took three wickets to be the pick of the Indian bowlers and he was awarded the Man of the match award for the second time in the India vs New Zealand 2019 series. Subsequently, New Zealand’s lower order could not add the finishing touches as they faltered like a house of cards with Indian bowlers blowing them like the Bay Oval’s strong wind.

India vs New Zealand 2019: India’s second innings.

Shikhar Dhawan was the aggressive partner as he took on the attack against New Zealand bowlers. However, the southpaw was dismissed by New Zealand’s premier fast bowler Trent Boult when Ross Taylor took a good catch at first slip.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma scored back to back fifties to continue his good form going. Sharma who scored a match 87 runs in the previous match, scored a fine knock of 62 runs off 77 balls. India’s vice-captain was well accompanied by Indian skipper Virat Kohli. India’s two best batsmen added an imperative partnership of 113 runs to help their side get close to the target.

Rohit and Virat put on 113 runs for the second wicket.

Both of them rotated the strike at regular intervals and New Zealand was waiting for both of them to make a mistake rather than taking a wicket. Rohit Sharma advanced down the track to Mitchell Santner. However, the southpaw spinner was astute in bringing back his length. Thus, the stylish batsman could not get to the pitch of the ball and was stumped by Tom Latham.

Virat Kohli finally got to his 49th ODI fifty after scoring two scores of the 40s in the series. The Indian captain looked at ease while playing his last match of the tour. Kohli scored 60 runs from 74 balls with the help of half a dozen boundaries and a solitary six.

However, Kohli tried to go over the cover fielder but Henry Nicholls took a good catch while jumping in the air. Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik added the finishing touches to the innings to help their side get over the line with ease.

The fourth ODI will take place at Hamilton on 31st January.