India take on on New Zealand in the third and final match of the three-match ODI series at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore on January 24, Monday. The visitors made one change as Jacob Duffy came in place of Henry Shipley while the Indian Team management rested the pace-duo Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj and brought back speedster Umran Malik and the wrist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
India lost the toss and they were asked to bat first and it was a run-fest in Indore as both Rohit and Shubman Gill started well as they displayed an outstanding effort to put a double-century opening stand. At one stage, it seemed that the Indian batters will cross the 400-mark easily but the Blackcaps made a stellar comeback as India lost their 6 batters for 101 runs.
Bad day for New Zealand bowlers
Rohit smashed a century after a long wait of three years. He completed his century in just 83 balls including 9 fours and 6 sixes in his innings. The Indian skipper played an inning of 101 runs in 85 balls. Rohit scored his last century on 19 January 2020. He played an inning of 119 against Australia in Bangalore. Rohit also became the 3rd highest six-hitter in the history of ODIs.
The pressure was totally shifted back to India and it took a determined Hardik Pandya to steer them out of trouble again as he scored 54 runs off just 38 deliveries which included 3 fours and 3 sixes. Shardul Thakur gave him a great hand and the duo added a brisk 54-run stand to lift the inning again. Lockie Ferguson and Mitchell Santner were really good with the ball both were the only bowlers whose economy rate was under 6. Blair Tickner and Jacob Duffy both took 3 wickets each but went too expensive as the Indian team ended up scoring 385 runs in 50 overs.
Gill smashed yet another ODI hundred and this was his 3rd 100-plus score in his last 4 ODI innings. He played some beautiful-looking strokes. He continued batting brilliantly and completed his ton on the last ball of the 26th over. He smashed 112 runs off just 78 deliveries, including 13 fours and 5 sixes before getting out by Blair Tickner
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Sky is not meant for ODIs
— GAUSS 【🦁KING KOHLI STAN】 (@Stan_Kohli74) January 24, 2023
India always fails to score 30-40 extra runs after a good start
— Rohit Salvi (@RohitSa41947913) January 24, 2023
I blame Surya for collapse
— Tԋҽ Aʅρԋα 🐺 (@MR_Alpha_21) January 24, 2023
This is a 400 wicket. We are certainly short and cause for concern in long run. SKY and Ishan are not odi players.
— Vshenoy (@Venkate64754351) January 24, 2023
Aise hi World Cup me bhi khel lena#INDvzNZ
— Cricketbugs (@Cricketbugs0) January 24, 2023
70-80 runs short after the start we had.!
— ROHITxSKY (@INDIAxxMI) January 24, 2023
Eng aisi chote ground batting pitch pe 490+ maarta Ind toh 400 bhi ni pahucha coz beech mein 3 neend waale ballebaaz ne Sula diya crowd n team dono ko.
— Lord Voldemort (@Smart_Ladka) January 24, 2023
And thanks to ishan kishan for slowing down our innings
— Gowtham bh (@Gowthambh) January 24, 2023
Middle order ke karan again 400+ missed 💀.
— 𝗔𝘀𝗵 ⟭⟬ (@jkplayboii) January 24, 2023
