Indian team’s victory continues as the team wins the third ODI against the host Kiwis to take an unassailable lead of 3-0 in the five-match series.
The Kiwis was put into a do-or-die situation after losing the first two matches. Going into the third, the team made a few changes including bringing in Mitch Santner in place of Colin de Grandhomme while for India, MS Dhoni suffered Hamstring strain and had to miss out today. Hardik Pandya played his first ODI after the ‘Koffee with Karan’ controversy.
Opting to bat first, New Zealand was once again reduced to 59-3 as the Indian pacers removed the openers and Chahal dismissed Williamson thanks to a great catch from Pandya.
Ross Taylor, who was in a great form earlier to this series found his knick once again and along with Latham, he added 119 runs partnership. Latham made 51 while Taylor got out just seven runs short of his hundred. After their dismissal, the team once again collapsed and was all-out for 243. Indian pacer Shami, who later was announced the man of the match, picked up three wickets; Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, Chahal shared grabbed two wickets each.
In return, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma gave a positive start with Dhawan attacking the bowlers early on. The pair added 39 runs and Dhawan had to walk back after edging one off Boult to the first slip. Rohit Sharma who was taking his time in the middle added an important partnership with Virat Kohli adding 113 runs. Rohit Sharma scored 63 while Kohli scored his 49th ODI fifty, got out for 62 and was the last wicket to go as both Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik who are fighting for a spot in the team stood unbeaten, helped India to chase down the total.
