India clinched a series triumph against New Zealand in some style as the Men in Blue secured an unassailable 3-0 lead thanks to a seven-wicket win at Mount Maunganui.
The visitors were on song once again as they bowled out the Kiwis for just 243 runs before coasting to a comfortable chase with seven overs to spare.
At the end of another dominant display by Virat Kohli and his men, we take a look at the key talking points from the clash.
TAYLOR FAILS TO HIDE NEW ZEALAND’S BLUSHES
New Zealand put up a much better showing compared to the first two ODIs but it was still not enough with the hosts being bowled out before the completion of 50 overs for the third time on the trot.
The openers fell cheaply once again while skipper Kane Williamson failed to get going after a splendid catch by Hardik Pandya. Half-centuries from Ross Taylor and Tom Latham looked to have put the Kiwi innings back on track but they once again faltered at the death after some impressive bowling by the Indians.
Taylor was unfortunate to miss out on a ton but the New Zealand innings fell away quickly post his dismissal with Pandya picking up two wickets on his return to the side.
Credit has to be given to India’s bowling unit though, who have picked up all 30 wickets on offer so far in the series despite missing the services of No1 ranked Jasprit Bumrah.
Another dominant bowling display by India.
KULDEEP AND CHAHAL BRING UP A CENTURY
India’s wrist-spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal had been prolific in the first and second ODIs but it was the pacers who took the limelight on Monday.
Kuldeep failed to dismiss a single batsman in his eight overs but Chahal continued his wicket-taking form with two scalps. He got the big scalp of Williamson before returning to break the 119-stand for the fourth wicket by getting the better of the well-set Latham.
Chahal’s two wickets brought up a century of dismissals between the wrist-spin pair in the ODI format. The two have established themselves as India’s first-choice spinners in the format since their defeat to Pakistan in the 2017 Champions Trophy final and their wicket-taking form augurs well for the team ahead of the 2019 World Cup in England.
That's 100 wickets between our very own #KulCha in ODIs#NZvIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/MaYyNFtgn2
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 28, 2019
ROHIT, KOHLI FIFTIES ENSURE COMFORTABLE CHASE FOR INDIA
A total of 243 was not likely to seriously test the formidable Indian batting line up with the top-order setting up a comfortable chase.
Shikhar Dhawan started briskly in the chase but despite his dismissal for 28, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ensured that India’s innings remained on course with a solid partnership.
The duo barely looked under any threat as they brought up a 100-run stand between themselves. The skipper and his deputy were in utmost control and brought up their respective half-centuries in the process. The half-century would have come as a relief for Kohli who was dismissed in the 40s in his last three ODIs and will now return home to India for a well earned break.
By the time the duo was dismissed in quick succession around the 30-over mark, they had already laid the foundation of a comprehensive win and Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik duly finished that job without really breaking a sweat.
Rohit was in imperious touch once again for India.
