Rohit Sharma raises his bat after scoring his 15th ODI century
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Rohit Sharma and captain Virat Kohli hammered 147 and 113 respectively as India skirted past New Zealand by six runs in Kanpur to win the three-match ODI series 2-1.
India’s win over the Black Caps was a record-breaking one as they have now won seven successive bilateral ODI series, which is their longest streak in history.
Choosing to bowl first, New Zealand got an early breakthrough as Tim Southee took out India opener Shikhar Dhawan for 14 in the seventh over.
However, that was to be New Zealand’s last taste of success for a long time as Rohit and Kohli wore them down with a 230-run partnership, during which Rohit cruised past his hundred, while Kohli was within touching distance of his own century.
The partnership the duo put together was the second-highest for India in ODIs against New Zealand. The biggest stand still belongs to Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, who accumulated 311 runs against the Black Caps in Hyderabad in November 1999.
New Zealand finally ended the partnership between Rohit and Kohli in the 42nd over when Rohit was caught by Southee at long-off off the bowling of Mitchell Santner for 147, which came off 138 balls and included 18 boundaries and two sixes.
Hardik Pandya fell shortly after for eight runs, while Kohli went on to score 113 off 106 deliveries, which included nine boundaries and a six, before he was caught by New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson at long-off off the bowling of Southee.
Virat Kohli celebrates after bringing up his 32nd ODI hundred
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
During his innings, Kohli etched his name into the record books as he became the fastest player to score 9,000 ODI runs.
With Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav making quickfire knocks of 25 and 18 respectively, India ended their innings on 337/6.
Southee, Santner and Adam Milne picked up two wickets apiece.
Chasing 338 to win, New Zealand got off to a solid start before opener Martin Guptill was caught by Dinesh Karthik at mid-off off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah for 10.
Williamson and Colin Munro made up for the loss of Guptill with a 109-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their fifties.
Colin Munro scored his fourth ODI fifty
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With New Zealand having recovered brilliantly, India were in need of a wicket, and it was Yuzvendra Chahal who delivered it as he clean bowled Munro for 75, which came off 62 balls and included eight boundaries and three sixes.
Williamson ended up making 64 off 84 balls, which included eight boundaries, before he was caught behind off the bowling of Chahal.
Kane Williamson made his 32nd ODI fifty
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Tom Latham and Ross Taylor stabilised the innings with a 79-run stand before Taylor was dismissed by Bumrah for 39.
Latham and Henry Nicholls kept the runs flowing with a 59-run stand before Nicholls was cleaned up by Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a 24-ball 37.
Latham went on to score 65 off 52 balls, which included seven boundaries, before he was run out by Dhoni.
Tom Latham struck his ninth half-century in ODI cricket
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
With Santner falling in the last over, New Zealand’s hopes of pulling off an incredible heist went up in smoke as they fell just short of their target.
Bumrah was the most successful bowler with three wickets, while Chahal snapped up two and Kumar claimed one.
Williamson was gutted to have lost the match, and said: “Fantastic series, some great cricket played and in good spirit. Credit to Kohli and team, they were the better team, although by just a little bit. Lots of promising signs from our end. Losing from this close is frustrating, but good signs. The surface was good throughout, and the team that played better on that day won the games in this series.
“But against these guys, you have to be at your best to cross the line. Our middle order stood out: Tom Latham batted with such clarity, adapted and did the role so well. Henry Nicholls too, Ross batted well. Our seamers did well under difficult conditions. India played better cricket, and they deserve the win. Santner’s a pretty good spinner, so it’s a tough decision taking two specialist spinners.”
Kohli, who was named Man of the Series, was thrilled to have won the series 2-1, and said: “Credit to NZ. They challenged us in all three games, and forced us to play our best in every game. Credit to the skill and character they possess. Congratulations to them for playing that way. I decided that I let the bowler do what he wants do do, and that’s why I was calm. There was dew too, just glad the boys pulled through.
“To be fair to the bowlers: the wicket eased out nicely. The ball was coming onto the bat beautifully. Our last 15 overs, the bowling slowed down, so we were probably 25 runs short. It was difficult to get our shots away. But glad the bowlers came out on top: it was like a knock out game for us, and the boys showed their character.
“My aim is for the team to win the game and the series, and if I personally do well then it’s an added bonus. (On the records) These things are hard to ignore since we keep hearing these, but the aim is to always make the team win from any situation.”
Rohit was named Man of the Match, and said: “Feels good when the team wins, and you contribute. Happy how we played through this series. NZ were very competitive, and it wasn’t easy to come and win. We had to be at our best to win.
“I was watching the pre-match analysis where they said my head was falling off, so I worked slightly on it. That helped. My head was falling a bit, and wasn’t coming into the line of the ball. The quickly you rectify, the better it is. I enjoyed playing today in Kanpur, have good memories personally, but not for the team. Good to change that.
“(On his 100 celebration) Every hundred is special, but what I was working on came off well, and that’s why I was happy. Sanjay Bangar (batting coach) helped me work on some of these things, and that’s when results are more pleasing.”