India vs New Zealand 2017, 3rd ODI: Hits and Misses

The tough and tight encounter between India and New Zealand in Kanpur on Sunday (October 29) was a fitting finish to the three-match ODI series between the two.

India scored a mammoth total of 337 in the first innings and put immense pressure on the opposition with their fearless batting. New Zealand, however, did not melt in the heat but thrived in the second innings to take the game right down to the last over.

The result could've been gone any way in the last four overs, but it was the hosts who managed to keep their nerves in tight situations to clinch the match by a margin of 6 runs and thereby, the series by 2-1.

Here are the hits and misses from the game:

#6 Hit: The Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli partnership

India's best opening batsman, Rohit Sharma and best limited overs batsman, Virat Kohli, stitched another sensational partnership between them in the first innings of the match.

They have now become the first ever pair to have four 200-run ODI partnerships. The 230-run stand between the two right-handed batsmen not only steadied the ship after Shikhar Dhawan's early dismissal, but was also instrumental in steering India to a hefty total.

Sharma scored 147 off 138 deliveries, while Kohli reached his 32nd ODI hundred with a knock of 113. Both look dominant, relentless and powerful throughout the innings. They made the kiwi bowling attack look hapless and worn-out.

#5 Miss: Shikhar Dhawan

The left-handed batsman, who missed India's ODI and T20 series against Australia last month, was unable to make a strong return to the 50-over format against New Zealand. He managed a half-century in Pune in the second ODI of the series, but has clearly not been at his best touch.

Dhawan failed to score big in Kanpur as well, and was dismissed by Tim Southee for just 14 off 20 deliveries.

The moustache-twirling batsman needs to get going in India's next ODI series, which will be against Sri Lanka at home. Ajinkya Rahane has been extremely consistent whenever he got an opportunity in the ODI setup and is constantly knocking on the door of the first team.

#4 Hit: The New Zealand middle order

Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls scored 205 runs between them and did so in just 207 balls. They took the chase on positively and went on their business with clinical precision.

Building on Colin Munro's 75 at the top of the order, the kiwi middle-order performed extensively well to bring their team in reach of the target. None of them failed, they carried the burden of the chase on their shoulders and kept the flow going after every dismissal.

Twin fifties from Williamson and Latham strengthened the chase and made New Zealand look like the favourites to win the game before the last then overs.

#3 Miss: Martin Guptill

The right-handed batsman could not bring his experience into play throughout the India series. A lot was expected off Guptill before the tour, but he has not been able to match up to those expectations until now.

He failed yet again in Kanpur, when he was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah in the sixth over of the game. With a gigantic total like 338 on the scoreboard, it was imperative for New Zealand to get a steady start. However, Guptill fell immediately, which put his team on the back-foot in the chase.

He could add just 10 runs to his name and could face just 14 deliveries in the match.

#2 Hit: Jasprit Bumrah

The 23-year-old Indian pacer has been adding to his death-overs masterclass with every next game. His precise yorkers, thumping pace and perfect variations have helped him turn into an absolute gem of the Indian the bowling unit.

Every time India is in trouble in the field, Kohli turns to Bumrah. The youngster has not disappointed till now and has stepped up every time his skipper has given him the ball. It was his couple of overs in the last lap of the game that turned the game on its head.

New Zealand were cruising along until Bumrah was brought back into the attack. He find a way to get through them yet again, and bowled exceptional deliveries in the 48th and 50th over of the innings.

Brilliant ancillary contributions came from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal, who were oils on Bumrah's wheel. They set the stage beautifully for the seamer and ensured that they keep things tight at their end. Chahal's contribution was instrumental in the middle over of the innings, where he ensured that the New Zealand did not fly away with the chase.

#1 Miss: Hardik Pandya

India's wonder-boy, Hardik Pandya, tasted his failure of the season today. He came in at Number 4 after the pivotal foundation set up by Sharma and Kohli. However, he not not build on it and was sent back to the pavilion for a meager total of 8 runs.

He failed in the second innings as well and gave away 9.40 runs per over in his five-over spell.

He had a forgettable time throughout the 100 overs of the game and could not make his presence felt in the middle. That rarely happens with someone who is as extravagant as Pandya.