After Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stitched a 200-run partnership to set up a big total for the visitors to chase in the decider, New Zealand looked unfazed by the massive total in the deciding ODI in Kanpur as Colin Munro and Kane Williamson kicked off to a brilliant start bringing up the visitor’s 150-mark by the 25 over.
Team India knew that taking Williamson’s wicket is important and with Indian bowlers failing to create any kind of early pressure, Virat Kohli and company had to make it up with their fielding.
It was reflected in a lightning-fast attempt by India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Kane Williamson and Hardik Pandya were involved in a nasty on-field collision during the second innings of the third and final ODI in Kanpur on Sunday.
The incident took place in the 28th over. Williamson pushed the ball to mid-on off an Axar Patel delivery and embarked on a blind run. Pandya alerted and charged in and missed the direct hit before crashing on to the ground.
Williamson’s helmet took the hit of the throw, had his head down and didn’t see Pandya lying on his path. And in the process, Williamson’s boot-spike landed onto Hardik’s little finger. Luckily, both remained unscathed after the incident. Both the players made up with a friendly gesture immediately but Pandya’s finger looked a concern.
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What sweetened the pain was Williamson’s dismissal in the immediate next over off a Chahal’s delivery, when an ugly slog landed safely into Dhoni’s hands.
Earlier in the day, Rohit scored 147 whereas his captain scored 113. For Rohit, it was his 15th century and for Virat Kohli, it was his 32nd century. Virat also in the process became the first player to complete 2000 runs in the calendar year. He also got 6 centuries in 2017 and five against the Kiwis.
Despite fighting so hard till the end, it was Indian pacer Jamprit Bumrah in death overs who helped the Indian team raise the cup. For India and Virat Kohli, it is a chance to extend their bilateral records. They have won six bilateral series on the trot, this win would make it seven.