IND vs NZ, 5th T20I: India Register 7-Run Win At Bay Oval, Clean Sweep Series 5-0

Team India ended the 5-match T20I series against New Zealand on a winning note beating the hosts by 7 runs and inflicting a clean sweep

India defeated New Zealand by 7 runs to win the 5th and final T2OI at the Bay Oval to inflict a 5-0 series whitewash over the Kiwis in their own backyard.  After setting the hosts a target of 164, the Indians restricted the Black Caps to 156-9, completing a series whitewash. New Zealand once again looked in a good position to win at the half way mark going strong with Tim Siefert and Ross Taylor but the Indians staged yet another brilliant comeback chipping away with timely wickets and choking the runs at the end of the innings. Bumrah was the most successful of the Indian bowlers picking up 3 wickets. Saini and Thakur chipped in with 2 wickets each. India posted a par 163-3 run total in the fifth and final T2OI being played at the Bay Oval. India got off a breezy start despite the early loss of opener Sanju Samson. In-form opener KL Rahul combined well with stand in skipper Rohit Sharma to provide the opening impetus up the order. The Rohit-Rahul duo registered a 90-run partnership for the visitors to lay a strong foundation for the team. Rahul was looking good for another half ton was dismissed by Hamish Bennett. Rohit Sharma then stitched a good partnership with Shreyas Iyer to propel India towards a healthy target. Sharma brought up his half ton and also eclisped his team mate Virat Kohli to score most half tons in the shortest format of the game. Towards the end of the innings, Rohit Sharma changed gears as he typically does with a couple of lusty blows but had to retire hurt. Manish Pandey produced a spree of boundaries to help India Hamish Bennett and Scott Kuggeleijn picked up a wicket each for the hosts while Rohit Sharma top scored with 60 runs for India.