India vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI - Talking Points and Who Said What?

Team India defeated New Zealand by another huge margin of 90 runs in the third ODI at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Tuesday, January 24, thus yet again consecutively completing a 3-0 whitewash. With the win at the Holkar Cricket Stadium India have toppled England to become the new no.1 ODI team in the ICC ODI rankings. 

Earlier in the day, India openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill went all guns blazing right from the word go, as the duo slammed 212 runs between them before the skipper was dismissed. The 212-run partnership between Rohit and Gill is also the highest by an opening pair against New Zealand in ODIs.

Rohit smashed 101 runs off 85 balls, his second-fastest ton in ODIs whereas Gill struck 112 runs in 78 deliveries. Gill’s century also meant that the batter equalled Pakistan’s Babar Azam's World Record of scoring the most runs (360 runs) in a three-match ODI series, at the young age of 23. All-rounder Hardik Pandya also came in to join the party, striking a sublime half-century to ensure the Men In Blue reach a mammoth total of 385/9 in their 50 overs.

Sadly for the visitors, the only bright spot in the entire ODI series would be their two centurions. If in the 2nd ODI it was Michael Bracewell, in the 3rd ODI it was Devon Conway, who was the lone warrior for the Black Caps, smashing a magnificent century (138 off 100 deliveries), though his efforts went completely in vain because none of his teammates managed to hang in there and the Indian bowlers were just too good for them to handle. 

Talking Points from India vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI:

Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav run over Kiwi batters

The Indian bowlers were just stupendous in their approach in the 3rd ODI, attacking the Kiwi batters right from the first over. Shardul Thakur finished with figures of 6-0-45-3 while Kuldeep Yadav concluded with 9-0-62-3. His spin twin Yuzvendra Chahal also chipped in with his economical bowling, scalping two crucial wickets and had the Kiwi batters searching desperately for answers.

Rohit-Gill opening pair a hit

In the ODI series against Sri Lanka, Rohit Sharma's decision of choosing Shubman Gill over Ishan Kishan for the opener's slot had caused a lot of hullabaloo. But Shubman Gill has now managed to shut everyone with his extreme consistency in the ODI series earlier against Sri Lanka and now against New Zealand, having already entered the record books.

Also, it can perhaps be said that India have finally found a solid opening pair in Rohit and Gill, though the World Cup is still months away. The duo's double-century stand in the 3rd ODI is where the Black Caps lost half of the match.

Losing Captain, Tom Latham said:

I think the start with the ball wasn't great. Fantastic partnership, but we pulled it back to 380. We were in a great position in the chase, but we lost too many wickets. This is our last experience before the World Cup, so we have got an idea. We wanted to build depth and it's been a great experience for everyone. The more you are in these situations, the more you learn.

Winning Captain, Rohit Sharma said:

I thought in the last six games we played we did most part rights and that is the key in 50-over games. We were consistent too. WIthout Siraj and Shami I knew we wanted to give chances to people on the bench. Wanted to get Chahal and Umran in the mix. We wanted to see how they react under pressure.

I don't think any score is safe here. Shardul has been doing it for a while. People call him magician in the squad. Just need to get more games under his belt. The wrist spinners get better with game time. Gill's approach is quite similar. 

As a youngster, coming into the team and have that attitude is great. I've been batting well, so it was just about going that extra mile. The pitch was good today. Honestly we don't talk much about rankings. We discuss mainly about doing the right things on the field. Australia is a quality team and things won't be easy for us but I think we are ready for the (BGT) series.

Player of the Match, Shardul Thakur said:

I am liked by my teammates (chuckles). 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. In modern day world it's all about batting.

Player of the Series, Shubman Gill said:

Feels nice when you have a series and you perform well. I don't think my approach has changed after the double hundred. It's all about getting a start and converting every game. Just to be in the situation and looking to score helps convert those starts for me. Our bowlers bowled really well on this wicket.

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