Delhi (AFP) – In the third and final one-day international on Tuesday against New Zealand, India amassed a formidable 385-9 thanks to blistering centuries from captain Rohit Sharma and fellow opener Shubman Gill.
As the hosts already held a commanding 2-0 series lead, Rohit (101) and Gill (112) put on 212 for the first wicket in Indore to build a strong foundation for the innings.
On a batting-friendly pitch where the hosts once appeared poised to reach far above 400, New Zealand’s bowlers responded after the pair left.
Before Hardik Pandya took over, India had dropped to 293-5. He raised the total with a 38-ball 54 that included three fours and three sixes.
India reached 17-0 in the first four overs thanks to the match-winning 208 by Rohit and Gill, who began the series carefully before exploding with four boundaries.
In a 22-run eighth over, Gill crushed Lockie Ferguson for four fours and a six, and Rohit joined the fun with a few big shots over the boundary.
It exceeded the 201-run partnership between Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir in 2009 to become the highest opening partnership by any team against the Kiwis in the 50-over format.
Gill scored his third hundred-plus score in his previous four ODI innings, taking off his helmet and enjoying the cheers of the crowd. Since January 2019, Rohit scored a century in an ODI.
Despite Kohli’s quick 36, India lost regular wickets when Bracewell bowled Rohit, and Blair Tickner returned Gill in the following over.
Ishan Kishan, a left-handed player, was run out following a miscommunication with Kohli, who promptly lost to Jacob Duffy before Pandya retaliated.
Pandya and Thakur, who each scored 25 runs, added 54 runs for the seventh wicket, resulting in the home team scoring 60 runs in the final five overs.