Important takeaways from the 3rd ODI between New Zealand and India

The third one-day match between New Zealand and India in the ODI series is over. India clinched an important series win by seven wickets.

They got New Zealand all out for the third time in a row. After winning the toss, the New Zealand captain Kane Williamson decided to bat first. While the team's batting was better than the previous two ODIs, New Zealand was able to get just 243 before losing all their wickets.

It had been quite easy for India to chase down that total as they managed to finish the match in 43 overs.

The series is now done and dusted with this match which has important takeaways for us.

---

# The Ten Year challenge:

Dhoni was the previous captain to win against New Zealand at New Zealand in an ODI series

India last won an ODI series against New Zealand at the opponent's home soil at 2009. It had been ten years since India won an ODI series against New Zealand at the soil of The Kiwis.

Last time, the captain of the team India was Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Virat Kohli who led the team to the series victory this time was not even featured in the 2009 series.

Legendary players like Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, and Zaheer Khan featured in that series.

Rohit Sharma who achieved his 39th ODI half-century in this match by scoring 62 runs from 77 balls got a series total of only 43 back in the 2009 series. Note that he played only 2 matches in which he got to bat on just one. He was not an opener back then.

---

# The Pandya comeback:

Pandya during India ODI Series Training Session

It has really been some testing period for Hardik Pandya lately. The 25-year-old has been on the receiving end of some unwanted attention after his inappropriate statements on a TV show which got controversial and cost him an important ODI series against Australia.

Returning for the third ODI against the Kiwis after serving a suspension period, the Mumbai Indians all-rounder had some chance at retrieving his reputation.

He delivered in style for India and played a crucial role for the team's victory. While his bowling, which got 2 wickets in 10 overs, was impressive, it was his catch which sent Williamson back to the dugout that got people talking.

That was a fielder’s wicket, absolutely stunning catch from Hardik Pandya. #NZvInd

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 28, 2019

A stamp of approval from arguably the best fielder of India in his day, Mohammad Kaif would do a lot for the youngster to feel accepted as he would look to clean up his past and move forward towards the world cup which is a few months away.

---

# The motives of Kiwis from now on:

Rohit Sharma would captain the next series against New Zealand

It is over. There is nothing left for India to do from now on. Virat is getting back home. Rohit Sharma is going to lead from now on. Are the Kiwis going to be complacent here on?

No way. Why would they be? They have gone past defeat and now are going to enter into utter humiliation. They would definitely want to avoid the humiliation that comes with a clean sweep.

Rohit Sharma is also a great captain like Virat. He has two trophies (Nidahas Trophy, Asia Cup) in his cabinet. The Black Caps would definitely be aware of that. Their middle order batsmen Ross Taylor (93 runs off 106 balls) and Tom Latham (51 runs off 64 balls) showed some great ODI batting display in the match.

The pair made a crucial 119-run stand for the fourth wicket. Had Williamson and the openers fired earlier it would have nearly taken the game away from the Indians. There is a slight chance for the Kiwis to avoid disappointment at home if they find the areas where they missed and work a little harder.

The fourth ODI comes from the Seddon Park, Hamilton on Thursday, Jan 31. Will India prove that they are stronger even without their Captain Virat Kohli or will the Kiwis answer the wake-up call of the Men in Blue.

---

What are your opinions about the match? Do you think that India is going for a clean sweep or will the Kiwis come back strong? Post your comments below.