Jasprit Bumrah kept his nerves, defending 15 runs in the final over as India defeated New Zealand by six runs in the third and final ODI in Kanpur to seal the series.
Chasing a formidable 338 to seal a historic series, New Zealand made their intentions clear as Colin Munro, and Martin Guptill added 44 runs in just five overs before Jasprit Bumrah dismissed the latter. However, the wicket did not derail New Zealand’s chase as Munro and Kane Williamson set the tone for the chase with a 109-run stand before Yuzvendra Chahal brought India right into the game by dismissing both the batsmen in quick succession.
But India’s hopes of making any further inroad into the game was soon quashed by Ross Taylor and Tom Latham. The duo, who had starred for the Kiwis in the series-opener, put the visitors in command of the proceedings by adding 79 runs. The dangerous partnership came to an end when Bumrah sent back Taylor for 39. The dismissal, however, did not affect Latham’s momentum as he kept the scoreboard ticking with ones and twos along with hitting the occasional boundaries. Latham was well supported by Henry Nicholls who scored 37 off 24 balls.
But just when it looked the match was drifting New Zealand’s way, a dramatic incident saw Latham getting run-out for 65 in the 48th over with the visitors needing 26 runs in 13 balls. The equation was finally down to 15 off the last over, but the visitors could only manage nine runs, finishing their innings on a commendable 331 for 7.
Earlier, centuries from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had propelled India to a mammoth 337 for 6 in the allotted 50 overs. After being asked to bat first, India were off to a poor start as Shikhar Dhawan departed cheaply. However, it was not the precursor of the things that were to follow as Rohit and Kohli sent the Kiwis on a leather hunt. The duo added 230 runs for the second wicket before Rohit was sent back by Mitchell Santner. Rohit scored 147 off just 138 balls.
Kohli also soon followed suit, slamming his 32nd ODI hundred to extend his red-hot form. In the end, MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav played handy knocks to help the hosts close the innings on a strong note.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:
35 were needed in 4 overs at this stage. Duaaon me bahut taakat hai , Bumrah aur Bhuvi ke skills me bhi. Badhhai Team India. https://t.co/GOyuQaHB4t
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 29, 2017
In such a high scoring game, Bumrah and Chahal between them had 20-0-94-5 , exemplary performance in a run feast. Well done Team India .
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 29, 2017
Well done team India for hard fought series win,Virat Rohit bumrah special effort guys #IndvsNZ
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 29, 2017
Boom boom Buuuummmmrrrrraaaahhhhh ???????? #INDvNZ
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 29, 2017
And once again, as said earlier – In @Jaspritbumrah93 – India have found a Virat Kohli in the bowling department. Hats off to him.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 29, 2017
The name of Indian Cricket team's captain is Mahendra Kohli.
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) October 29, 2017
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/924667535043182593
Tom Latham and an On drive – better love story than Twilight ?
— Carlos Brathwaite (@CRBrathwaite26) October 29, 2017
Tom Latham.. Touch of Sanga in his leg side play ! Brilliant vs spinners.. plays sweep with rare precision ! Classy #IndvNZ @Tomlatham2
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) October 29, 2017
Rare bad day for Bhuvaneswar. But India short of options in the end overs so will have to stick with him.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 29, 2017
Wish Kohli had said "I'll keep making good strategies on field as a captain" to Anushka in that Manyavar ad.
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) October 29, 2017
Leg spinners and New Zealand don't go hand in hand – Especially on 29th October! Mishra ji same day last year, Yuzi Chahal tonight #IndvNZ
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) October 29, 2017
Andy Flower, Matthew Hayden, Tom Latham. Three best sweepers to tour India in my memory. #IndvNZ
— cricBC (@cricBC) October 29, 2017
Jadhav's arm is so low he could become the first bowler to mankad someone accidentally. #INDvNZ
— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) October 29, 2017
Century toh haemoglobin ki tarah Virat Kohli ke khoon mein hi shaamil ho chuki hai. 32 one day 100’s in 202 matches.
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 29, 2017
Virat Kohli Century nahi maarta, Century Virat kohli ko marti hain. ??#Indvsnz
— Banna. (@iJaideep_) October 29, 2017
People play on potential, past performances for years but here's a man who is setting higher standards every time he bats, played @imVkohli!
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 29, 2017
My reaction when told Kohli has scored a hundred…. pic.twitter.com/1sAzYzlUVA
— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) October 29, 2017
Rohit Sharma ◆ New Zealand ◆ Virat Kohli#INDvNZ
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) October 29, 2017
A century by Rohit Sharma is always an occasion because there are few better looking batsmen than him in the game. This has been a treat.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 29, 2017
The most endearing quality of Kohli is to take the backseat…he can match Rohit shot for shot but never falls in that trap. Team First.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 29, 2017
Rohit sharma before his 100 and after 100 #IndvsNz #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/frU6jJ5m86
— भाई साहब (@Bhai_saheb) October 29, 2017
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/924591309603483648
These sort of knocks from @ImRo45 should be passed by Bowlers' censor board – At least a 16+ or a U/A advisory is recommended #IndvNZ ??
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) October 29, 2017