New Zealand-India 3rd ODI called off due to rain, Kane Williamson & Co. win series 1-0
NZ-India 3rd ODI called off due to rain, Williamson & Co. win series 1-0
Persistent rain saved India from a likely defeat in the third and final ODI versus New Zealand, however, it couldn't save Shikhar Dhawan & Co. from a 1-0 series loss versus the No. 1 ranked Kane Williamson-led Black Caps on Wednesday (November 30) in Christchurch. Being asked to bat first, Indian batters failed to get going on a tough wicket as none apart from Washington Sundar (51) and Shreyas Iyer (49) looked comfortable in the middle as India only managed 219 all-out in 47.3 overs. In reply, NZ was cruising towards the total with Finn Allen unbeaten on 57 before rain played spoilsport and led to the match being called off.
Asked to bat first, India lost both their openers to be reduced to 55 for 2. The likes of Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav and Deepak Hooda had a golden opportunity to stay for long and score big, however, none apart from Iyer got going. Adam Milne (3 for 57) and Lockie Ferguson (1 for 49) kept it tight with the ball whereas Daryl Mitchell also surprised and returned with an impressive 3 for 25 in seven overs. In reply, Finn Allen and Devon Conway were off to a flier and kept the scoreboard ticking without dropping much sweat to take Kiwis to 97 for no loss before Umran Malik accounted for Conway's scalp (38). Allen was not out on 57 (54) before rain made its presence felt and impacted the game, with the match eventually being called off. Thus, NZ won the series 1-0 after losing the rain-marred three T20Is 0-1.
Kane Williamson | New Zealand captain: When we have been playing cricket we have been applying ourselves. Some good stuff in the rained off games too. We knew that 20 overs would constitute a match, but we could see the weather coming, it has been following us. Daryl has been hanging out for a bowl for ages. Milne felt a niggle but didn't want to stop. Focus changes to the Test arena. Guys get a break now and that's important too. Been pretty busy. We will regroup as a Test team after the break.
Shikhar Dhawan | India captain: Absolutely, going to Bangladesh, hopefully the weather will be better there. We are a young unit. The bowling unit learnt about bowling the good length area more. We were short at times. All the seniors are going to be back in the side. More Asian wickets is a more practical journey to the World Cup for us. Important to get the small things right - right lengths for the bowlers, batting close to the body in these conditions for the batters... these are the learnings.