New Zealand vs India: 4 reasons for India’s series win 

After a historic 2-1 series win over Australia on Australian soil, the Indian Cricket team reached another milestone by registering their first international series win on New Zealand soil after 10 years. It has been dominating performance by Virat Kohli led side, outplaying a strong Kiwi unit.

It has been a complete team performance in the three matches so far with the bowlers doing a great job of not allowing the New Zealand team to bat the complete 50 overs. The Indian batsmen have been outstanding and created pressure on the New Zealand team. Kohli has led from example and has made sure that he goes for a break with the series in the bag.

Under the captaincy of Kohli, the Indian team has now won an ODI series in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. His only loss in the format as a captain was the ODI series against England last year.

With the 2019 World Cup looming large, the win against a top quality side like New Zealand on their home grounds would do wonders and the country hopes to see more magic from the Kohli led side in the coming months.

Here we look at the 4 reasons for India’s series win over New Zealand.

---

#1 Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar picking early wickets.

Shami has been impressive with the ball.

The main reason for India’s success has been Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar picking early wickets in the first 10 overs. Shami dismissed Martin Guptill and Colin Munro in the first one-day international at Napier. In the first 10 overs, India restricted New Zealand to 34 for 2.

In the second match at Mount Maunganui, defending the target of 325 runs to win, Shami dismissed New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and Bhuvneshwar made the early breakthrough, dismissing the dangerous Guptill. New Zealand scored 63 for 2 at end of 10 overs.

In the third game at Mount Maunganui, Shami dismissed Munro and Bhuvneshwar got the other opener Guptill cheaply. India restricted New Zealand to 42 for 2 at end of 10 overs.

#2 Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal doing the damage in middle overs.

Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal did most of the damage during the three matches against New Zealand. In the first match at Napier, Chahal picked the important wickets of Ross Taylor and Tom Latham deceiving them in flight. He finished with figures of 2 for 43.

Kuldeep picked the wicket of New Zealand captain Williamson for 64 runs and then did not allow the tail to stick around. He finished with figures of 4/39 in his 10 overs and helped India bowl out New Zealand for just 157 runs.

Kuldeep then wreaked havoc in the second one-day international. Defending the target of 325 runs to win, he was bought in late by Kohli. He did the damage by picking wickets of Latham, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme and Ish Sodhi.

In the third match, Chahal took wickets of Williamson and the well set Latham to break the momentum of New Zealand innings. Both, Chahal and Kuldeep have been unstoppable as a pair as they have taken 100 wickets in 26 matches between them.

#3 Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan deadly as an opening pair

New Zealand v India - ODI Game 1

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are one of the most dangerous opening pairs in one-day international cricket at the present moment. During the first ODI at Napier, Rohit failed as he was dismissed for just 11 runs but Dhawan came back to form with a 75 not out.

Batting first in the second match, Rohit and Dhawan provided a solid foundation adding 154 runs. Rohit Sharma made 87 while Shikhar Dhawan scored 66. Their opening partnership helped team India post a massive total of 324 runs. Rohit Sharma was named the Man of the Match.

Chasing the target of 244 runs to win in the third match at the same venue, Rohit and Dhawan gave the team a decent start adding 39 runs for the opening wicket. Rohit Sharma made 62 while Dhawan was dismissed for quick fire 28. Both of them will be looking to provide brilliant starts in the last two ODIs as well.

#4 Virat Kohli's captaincy

Virat Kohli's captaincy in the series win against New Zealand has been spot on. He has made the right decision on the playing and given chances for the players to shine. After MS Dhoni's series win in 2009, Virat Kohli became the second Indian captain to win an ODI series on New Zealand soil.

He brought both his wrist spinners at the right time to break the partnerships. Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been used superbly. He scored 43, 45 and 60 runs in the three matches that India won easily.

Kohli will be taking a break after the 3rd one-day international and will hope to be fresh for the ODI series against Australia at home, IPL and then the World Cup 2019.