Vadodara: It was a hat-trick win for India as they took an unassailable 3-0 lead over the Kiwis crushing them by nine wickets in the 3rd ODI on Saturday. Gautam Gambhir’s swashbuckling century and Virat Kohli’s brilliant fifty in the end helped India easily chase the target of 225 set by New Zealand and win series. The ninth century of Gambhir’s career was second in a row. He was declared man of the match.
Earlier, India won the toss and elected to field. It was a great start for India as Zaheer staged a come back with a bang dismissing Brendon Mcculum in the very first over of the game. McCullum’s return to the squad brought hope for the Kiwis but Zaheer dashed all their expectations.
New Zealand kept losing wickets at regular interval of time and were reduced to 7-106, when James Franklin and Nathan McCullm came for rescue. Franklin and McCullum displayed great commitment to help New Zealand cross 200-mark. While McCullum missed his half century, Franklin remained unbeaten on 72.
Spectators in Vadodara cheered local boys Zaheer and Yusuf Pathan as they claimed two wickets each. R Ashwin, though proved a little expensive, he finished with 2/49.
After a humiliating 0-4 defeat at the hand of Bangladesh in the previous series, the loss in Vadodara has crushed the morale of Kiwis ahead of the World Cup. It was Kiwis' eighth consecutive defeat in ODIs. On the other hand, the young Indian side is enthused following the remarkable win.
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