The third and final ODI match between India and New Zealand at Christchurch was called off due to rain. With this outcome, New Zealand win the three-match series 1-0. The hosts had won the series opener by seven wickets and the following two matches were abandoned due to rain.
After winning the toss skipper Kane Williamson invited India to bat first, Indian batter Shreyas Iyer played a spirited knock of 49 off 59 balls, and allrounder Washington Sundar also helped the team to achieve a respectful total of 219. Speedster Umran Malik bagged the crucial wicket of Finn Allen on 57 before the rain-marred encounter ended in a no-result at Hagley Oval.
Notably, India won the T20I series against the Kiwis by 1-0 under Hardik Pandya’s leadership. The T20I series was also a three-match series in which the first match was washed out due to rain and the third match was called off again because of rain.
Ravi Shastri backs the Men in Blue
India may have lost the ODI series in New Zealand but former coach Ravi Shastri feels the visitors can still take a lot of positives from the three outings in Shubman Gill‘s batting, Umran Malik’s bowling, and Shreyas Iyer’s consistency throughout the ODI series.
“I think a lot of positives came from this one-day series. Shreyas Iyer getting runs in a couple of matches, willing to stay there, and willing to go through the tough period. Suryakumar of course has the potential, has the talent, and he will deliver,” Shastri was quoted as saying.
“All around, there was very positive Shubman Gill at the start of the innings. These conditions are tough, you don’t get these conditions often, and you don’t travel to New Zealand that often. So I think for young cricketers to come here and get this kind of exposure is excellent. The weather and the ground dimensions need to be taken into account.”
