India defeated New Zealand by 90 runs to complete a 3-0 sweep of the Kiwis in addition to winning the ODI series. For the Men in Blue, it's their second straight home series victory. India replicated their performance against the Black Caps after defeating Sri Lanka 3-0 a few weeks earlier, adding it to their preparation for the mega event later this year, the 2023 ICC World Cup.
At Indore's Holkar stadium, boundaries and sixes were raining down. Both the fourth ODI century by Shubman Gill and the triple-digit century by India's captain Rohit Sharma were scored during the team's innings. With this achievement, he tied Babar Azam's 360-run record for the most runs scored in a bilateral series. The Indian innings stumbled a little in the middle after a 212-run opening stand as the guests were able to pick off wickets. However, Hardik Pandya once more contributed with a 36-ball fifty to help India reach 385 for 9 in 50 overs.
The very first ball of the chase saw Pandya take out Finn Allen, giving New Zealand an early shock. Then, however, Devin Conway and Henry Nicholls put together a 106-run partnership for the second wicket. After the latter left, the Kiwis started to lose wickets frequently. Conway persisted though, and with just 100 balls, he scored 138 points.
India's victory appeared to be closer as the New Zealand opener was dismissed by Umran Malik. Chahal took two wickets, while Kuldeep and Shardul each took three.
The middle order will be enthusiastic to play better as the Indian team management considers shift its bowlers in the third and final ODI against New Zealand here on Tuesday. A series sweep is in sight, so the middle order will be motivated to perform better.
Shubman Gill, the opener, has been in awesome form, scoring a breathtaking double hundred in the first ODI and then a 40 run knock in the second ODI's low-scoring contest. The team's captain, Rohit Sharma, is also performing well.
The home team is aware that Shubman and Rohit have been the only batters to score runs for the hosts despite holding a commanding 2-0 series lead.
The other players haven't been tested, so the dead rubber will be the ideal chance for players like Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav to get some game-like batting practice.
New Zealand were able to knock down the boundaries and sixes and looking forward to play a huge shot, Kohli cannot beat Finn Allen at the mid-off.
Team India endured a familiar middle order batting collapse, on a course for a 400 plus score, before Hardik Pandya provided the final sweep.
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