India swept up yet another home ODI series as they defeated New Zealand by 90 runs in the 3rd and last ODI, in Indore on Tuesday. The Indian home juggernaut continues to assert its dominance on the world: the last time India lost a home ODI series was way back in March 2019, vs Australia.
In the first, where Shubman Gill scored a double century, in Hyderabad, New Zealand put up a fightback with the bat, and came short by only 12 runs.
After that, though, it was all India dominance in the series: in the second ODI, in Raipur, New Zealand were bowled out for 108, and in the third ODI, they managed 295, via Conway’s century, but 90 short of India’s total of 385, which was built on hundreds from Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.
In the third ODI in Indore, it was ‘Lord’ Shardul Thakur who bagged the Player of the Match award ahead of the two centurions – Rohit and Gill.
Although Thakur’s figures of 6-0-45-3 look ordinary, it was his spell in the middle-overs, when New Zealand were fighting in the game, that changed the momentum and all but confirm India’s win. By taking the wickets of Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, and Glenn Phillips in a space of two overs, Thakur broke New Zealand’s back and their chase.
It was the wicket of Tom Latham that eked out laughter and unusual reactions from the Indian players, in particular Hardik Pandya, who couldn’t believe that Thakur dismissed Latham via a full toss!
Yes. Thakur swerved up a knuckle ball full toss on the first ball to left-hander Latham. However, the ball dipped, and Latham got the bottom part of his bat. The ball flew straight into the hands of mid-off where Pandya got low and took a simple catch.
Pandya had a wry smile on his face and was on the ground, laughing that it was an innocous full toss that got Latham’s wicket.
Here, look at Hardik Pandya’s reactions:
Taking the Player of the Match award, 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.”
