Rohit Sharma On The Verge Of Creating History In New Zealand

Rohit Sharma once again showcased his captaincy potential by guiding India to a comprehensive win over New Zealand in the fifth and final ODI. India were low on confidence after losing the fourth ODI by eight wickets and with just 252 to defend in the fifth, the visitors were well on backfoot. However, Rohit rotated his bowlers wisely, thus not allowing the New Zealand batsmen to settle down. India eventually won the game by 35 runs to wrap up the series 4-1.

The focus now shifts to the upcoming three-match T20I series, a format where New Zealand have always dominated the Men in Blue. Rohit Sharma will have his task cut out in the series as he will have to lead the side in the testing conditions without the talismanic Virat Kohli. Well, Kohli’s absence could be a blessing in disguise for India’s stand-in skipper as he now has a shot at history.

Rohit has an opportunity to become the first India captain to win a match and a T20I series in New Zealand when the two teams meet for a three-match series from Wednesday.

India have played only one bilateral series in the shortest format of the game in New Zealand. The Black Caps had won that series 2-0 in 2008-09. Interestingly, the Men in Blue had won the subsequent ODIs comfortably, sealing the series 3-1.

India have also never found it easy playing a T20I against New Zealand. They had not won a T20I match against New Zealand until Virat Kohli led India to a 2-1 series win over a visiting Black Caps side in the 2017-18 season. In eight matches between the two sides, India have won only two with a win percentage of 25.

Rohit, meanwhile, will also have a chance to surpass Virat Kohli in T20Is as he needs just two more wins to become the second most successful India captain in the shortest format of the game. MS Dhoni leads the list with 41 wins in 72 matches.