India vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I: Rohit Sharma-led India came up with a clinical performance with both bat and ball as they hammered the Black Caps by 73 runs. Rohit led from the front with the bat while an all-round bowling performance saw India defend 184 successfully on a dewy evening in Kolkata.
India could not have asked for a better start to the much-talked-about Rohit Sharma-Rahul Dravid era in T20Is as they completed a convincing clean sweep of New Zealand in a 3-match T20I series at home. The former world champions demolished the T20 World Cup 2021 runners-up by 73 runs, showcasing that teams setting a total can also win in T20i cricket.
The margin of victory was India's biggest over New Zealand in terms of runs in a T20I match. Defending 184, India were spot on with their bowling and fielding as they restricted the visitors to 111 in 17.2 overs despite a quickfire fifty from Martin Guptill. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel shone with the ball, picking up 3 wickets but it was an all-round show from the bowling unit.
It was also the second successive time India have clean-swept New Zealand as the Black Caps were hammered 5-0 at home last year.
Rohit Sharma has had a strong start to his stint as India's full-time T20I captain as he was spot on with his tactics on most occasions, managing to get the best of his unit across the 3 matches against New Zealand.
(With inputs from agencies)