New Delhi:
India on Sunday defeated New Zealand by 6 runs in a thrilling ODI at Kanpur's Green Park stadium. It was Jasprit Bumrah's superb death bowling efforts who clinched the series for India.
Kiwi captain Williamson invited Virat Kohli and team to bat first after winning the toss in series decider. India lose opener Shikhar Dhawan (14) early but classy Rohit and skipper Virat Kohli helped India to rebuild the innings.
With the help of cracking hundreds from Rohit Sharma (147) and Captain Virat Kohli (113) India scored big and set a 338-run target for Kiwis to win the series.
In reply to India’s 337, New Zealand had a blasting start with opener Collin Munro hitting Bhuvneshwar for 19 runs in the first over. However, Bumrah provided India with a breakthrough by removing Martin Guptill.
After Guptill’s fall, it was skipper Williamson who took the control of helm with Munro. Colin Munro scored 75 while Williamson scored 64.
But the Kiwis were well in the game and was almost dominating the game until Tom Latham’s (65) run out in the 48th over.
For the better part of the match, Indian bowlers dished out an ordinary bowling performance but bounced back when it mattered the most—in the final three overs.
Required to defend 15 runs in the final over, ‘King of Death’ Bumrah (3/47 in 10 overs) delivered yet again and conceded only eight runs in the 50th over. More importantly, he bowled an astounding 32 dot balls in his 10-over spell.
Scorecard:
India: 337 for six in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 147, Virat Kohli 113).
New Zealand: 331 for seven in 50 overs (Colin Munro 75, Tom Latham 65, Kane Williamson 64; Jasprit Bumrah 3/47).
(With PTI inputs)
