During the third ODI of the ongoing New Zealand’s tour of India at the Holkar Stadium, India beat New Zealand by 90 runs to register an authoritative 3-0 series victory. Yet to lose an ODI this year, India whitewashing Sri Lanka and New Zealand in the first month of 2023 is just the kind of start they would’ve hoped for as hosts in an ICC Cricket World Cup year.
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Chasing a massive target for the second time in the series, New Zealand ended up with 295 in 41.2 overs in their unsuccessful attempt of sealing a 386-run target. Opening batter Devon Conway’s third ODI century did keep his team in the chase till about the halfway mark but lack of support from the other end reduced the impact of him scoring a magnificent 138 (100) with the help of 12 fours and eight sixes.
Not only was India all-rounder Shardul Thakur (6-0-45-3) the pick of their bowlers on paper but also played a pivotal role in picking wickets at crucial junctures. Thakur dismissing Daryl Mitchell (24), Tom Latham (0) and Glenn Phillips (5) in consecutive overs was a major reason why New Zealand fumbled in the middle overs.
India vs NZ Man of the Match 3rd ODI in Indore
Put in to bat first by Latham, India were provided a head-start due to individual centuries by opening batters Rohit Sharma (101) and Shubman Gill (112). While captain Sharma sent across a major sigh of relief among his fans by scoring an ODI century after three years, Gill enhanced his run-spree on the back of a third ODI century within 10 days.
Notwithstanding Sharma and Gill putting together an impressive 157-ball 212-run opening stand, Thakur was declared the Player of the Match in Indore. Readers must note that before his game-changing spell in the second innings, Thakur had scored a pivotal 25 (17) in a 34-ball 54-run seventh-wicket partnership alongside vice-captain Hardik Pandya (54) in the third powerplay earlier in the day.
“When the opponents come after you, it’s important to stay in the moment. I don’t think too much. You got to be ready for different situations. Everyone enjoys batting,” Thakur told Star Sports during the post-match presentation ceremony after winning his maiden ODI match award.
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