India beat New Zealand in 3rd ODI to clinch series

India produced a brilliant all-round performance to beat New Zealand by six runs in the third and final One Day International at the Green Park Stadium here on Sunday and clinch the series.

Chasing a daunting target of 338 runs, the Kiwis could only manage 331/7 in their allotted 50 overs.

Colin Munro (75), skipper Kane Williamson (64) and Tom Latham (65) were the major contributors for New Zealand.

For India, pacer Jasprit Bumrah scalped three wickets and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal took two wickets.

India have thus clinched the three match ODI series 2-1. The visitors had won the series opener in Mumbai by six wickets before the Indians won the second match by the same margin in Pune to draw level.

India captain Virat Kohli was declared the man of the series for scoring 263 runs in the three matches. He has notched up two centuries in this series.

This was the first day-night match at this venue.

The Kiwis were off to a flying start with openers Martin Guptill and Munro going after the Indian bowlers.

Bumrah struck the first blow for India when a miscued shot by Guptill saw Dinesh Karthik latch on to the catch at mid-off.

It was the 50th ODI wicket for Bumrah. He is the second fastest Indian bowler to reach the landmark, completing the feat in 28 matches. Former pacer Ajit Agarkar holds the record at 23 matches.

Munro and Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson then put together a partnership of 109 runs to put the visitors on a firm footing. Chahal broke the partnership when Munro was bowled after failing to read the turn.

Munro, who was the highest scorer for the visitors, hit seven boundaries and three sixes during his 62-ball stay in the middle.

Chahal claimed his second wicket four overs later, sending Williamson back to the pavilion.

The Kiwis however, stayed firmly on course with Latham and Ross Taylor adding 79 runs between them off 76 deliveries.

But the dismissals of Taylor and Henry Nicholls broke the visitors' momentum as the hosts made a strong comeback.

Latham was run out following a horrible with Colin de Grandhomme in the very next over while Bumrah accounted for Mitchell Santner with two balls remaining.

With the Kiwis needing seven runs to win off the last ball, a desperate slog by Tim Southee earned a boundary at the mid-wicket fence as the Indians celebrated.

Brief scores: India 337/6 (Rohit Sharma 147, Virat Kohli 113; Mitchell Santner 2/58) against New Zealand 331/7 (Colin Munro 75, Kane Williamson 64, Tom Latham 65; Yuzvendra Chahal 2/47).

--IANS

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