Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Nov 30: After Wednesday’s third and final game in Christchurch was postponed due to rain, New Zealand defeated India 1-0 in the One-Day International (ODI) series.
In their feeble pursuit of 220, the hosts New Zealand were cruising on 104 for the loss of one. Devon Conway (38 not out) and skipper Kane Williamson, who hadn’t yet made a run, were at the wicket during the break.
The lone successful bowler for India was Umran Malik, who broke the opening stand of 97 runs by dismissing Fin Allen of New Zealand for 57 in the 17th over. The Duckworth-Lewis method put the Black Caps 50 runs ahead, but the game needed to go at least 20 overs to be over.
Earlier, Indian batsmen failed to gain momentum against a determined New Zealand bowling attack, and they were dismissed for a pitiful 219 runs.
On a pitch with a lot of grass, lateral movement, and cloudy conditions, India’s innings never really got going until Washington Sundar (51) stood up and hit five fours and a six in a 64-ball innings to push the visitors past 200. In addition to him, Shreyas Iyer made a valuable 49-run contribution while the other batters struggled and were beaten by New Zealand’s precise bowling performance.
With the swift dismissals of Shubman Gill (13) and Shikhar Dhawan (28) in succession, Adam Milne (3/57) shook the Indian top order. The prized wicket of Suryakumar Yadav (6) was then taken by Milne, exposing India’s careless batting in the middle overs.