Muscat, Nov 21
A top bowling effort and an inspired batting performance saw India completing a 3-0 series sweep of New Zealand after a 73-run victory in the third and final T20I, at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.
Riding on Rohit Sharma’s sparkling half-century and vital middle and lower order contributions from Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer and Deepak Chahar took India to a strong 184/7 in 20 overs.
The Indian bowlers led by Axar Patel (3/9) strangulated the New Zealand batsmen on a two-paced pitch that offered turn and bounce.
The visitors were bowled out for 111 in 17.2 overs in clinical style by the Indians at a rapturous Eden Gardens.
AXAR SHOW AT EDEN
New Zealand struggled against the spin of Axar Patel in the powerplay overs as Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman and Glenn Phillips were out cheaply.
At 30/3 under five overs, New Zealand had an uphill task in pursuit of 185 as Martin Guptill and Tim Seifert got things going.
Guptill showed great, positive intent and aggressive strokeplay as he smashed four boundaries and as many sixes for his 51 off 36 balls.
Yuzvendra Chahal’s third over saw Guptill go for a big shot and get caught at long on by by Suryakumar Yadav.
Seifert had to go back to the pavilion after a needless run out and James Neesham was brilliantly caught by wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant off a Harshal Patel delivery.
New Zealand were staring down the barrel at 76/6 and an Indian victory looked imminent. After the run out of Mitchell Santner, it was only a matter of time and formalities.
ROHIT, ISHAN SHINE
India had brought in the flamboyant Ishan Kishan in place of the imperious KL Rahul and Ishan was on the money rightaway.
The Jharkhand southpaw smashed six boundaries on his way to 29 off 21 balls while skipper Rohit Sharma was in a murderous mood as he blasted three sixes and four boundaries in their opening wicket partnership of 69.
The introduction of Mitchell Santner saw India lose three wickets in quick succession to the spinner as Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant were all sent packing.
Despite losing wickets on a pile, India were going at a 9 plus run-rate with Rohit having reached his half-century and Shreyas Iyer cracking a boundary to keep the momentum.
Just when Rohit was about to launch himself for a biggie, Ish Sodhi had him caught and bowled in the 12th over as India slipped to 103/4.
Rohit’s departure brought the promising Venkatesh Iyer to the middle to join another Iyer.
A 36-run partnership ensued between Venkatesh and Shreyas before the former was out to Boult and soon after the latter’s wicket was claimed by Adam Milne.
Deepak Chahar’s quickfire 21 runs off eight balls comprising two boundaries and a six took India to 184/7 in 20 overs.
