India beat N. Zealand to clinch ODI series

KANPUR ( India): Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah helped India pull off a thrilling sixrun win over New Zealand in the third and final one-day international and clinch the series 2-1.

Bumrah claimed three wickets and effected a crucial run out of dangerman Tom Latham in the 48th over to make the visitors falter in their 338-run chase at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium.

The Kiwis, who looked like favourites with 35 runs required from the last 24 balls, ended on 331-7 despite Latham’s 52-ball 65.

Earlier sparkling centuries by opening batsman Rohit Sharma and skipper Virat Kohli steered India to 337-6 after being put in to bat.

Sharma, who smashed 147 off 138 balls, and Kohli, who made 113, became the first pair in ODIs to record four double-century stands between them after putting together 230 runs for the second wicket.

But it was the superb death bowling show by Bumrah that stood out in the big-scoring game.

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal also chipped in with two crucial wickets.

Kiwi opener Colin Munro hit a quickfire 75 to give the visitors a blazing start despite losing his partner Martin Guptill for 10 to Bumrah.

Munro put together a crucial 109-run partnership for the second wicket with skipper Kane Williamson, who made 64, as the pair took the attack to the opposition bowlers.

The left-handed Munro, who smashed 8 fours and 3 sixes in his 62-ball knock, took a special liking to Indian pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar, whose first five overs cost 51 runs. — AFP