The Indian Juggernaut Rolls On, Clinches New Zealand Series

Kohli and Rohit hit half­-centuries to make short work of a modest target; bowlers come up with another clinical display

A formidable India trounced New Zealand for a series-clinching seven­wicket win in the third One­Day International here on Monday

With an unassailable 3­-0 lead in the five­match series, skipper Virat Kohli signed off his tour down under on a high with a first ODI series win in New Zealand in 10 years.

Team effort

It was a complete team effort after the bowlers shot New Zealand out for 243 in 49 overs with all­rounder Hardik Pandya (two for 45 in 10 overs) making his presence felt with the ball as well as on the field. Pandya was playing his first match after the suspension for inappropriate remarks on a TV show was lifted.

“Three clinical games for us. I couldn’t have asked for a better performance. The relentlessness of the side is something that really pleases me,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation.

The chase was a cakewalk with skipper Kohli (60, 74b) and his deputy Rohit Sharma (62, 77b) adding 113 for the second wicket to set up the victory in only 43 overs.

With the pitch on the slower side, the two had to keep it slower than usual but even that didn't come in the way of another comprehensive performance. Once Shikhar Dhawan (28, 6x4) was dismissed, caught in the slips off Trent Boult, Rohit opened up. He hit a straight six off
Mitchell Santner.

Kohli, at the other end, punched Lockie Ferguson through point and hit Ish Sodhi for two boundaries.