India recovered some lost ground towards the end but New Zealand still scored an imposing 314 all out, riding on Martin Guptill’s century in the third cricket one-dayer here today.
The Indian bowlers produced a much better performance in the death overs and did not allow the Black Caps to run away with a massive total by taking three quick wickets between the 43rd and 44th overs.
Ross Taylor (17), Nathan McCullum (1) and Luke Ronchi (38) were out in the space of nine balls to put brakes on New Zealand’s push for a huge total.
It was a different experience for the Indian attack this time around, conceding only 81 runs in the last 10 overs. Only 33 runs had come off the second power play with two wickets lost therein, and it had set up this good finish for the Indians.
Guptill’s fine 129-ball 111 and Kane Williamson’s 74-ball 65, however, took New Zealand to 314 all out in their stipulated 50 overs at the Eden Park.
Guptill hit 12 fours and two sixes and put on 153 runs for the second wicket with Williamson even as the Indian bowlers fought back to bowl the hosts out.
It was a much improved bowling performance from the visitors, who are 0-2 down in the five-match series and are desperate to win their first ODI in the last six matches overseas.
Mohammad Shami (2/84) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/47) were the pick of the bowlers, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/48), Varun Aaron (1/52) and R Ashwin (1/47) chipping in with a wicket each. Suresh Raina (0/26) went wicket-less in his four overs.
Earlier, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won his third straight toss of the series and for a third consecutive time, he chose to field first.
The visitors made one change to their playing eleven, with Aaron coming in for out-of-form Ishant Sharma.
Suresh Raina was declared fit to play after suffering a hit below the left elbow in net practice yesterday.
New Zealand too made one change with Hamish Bennett coming into the eleven in place of Kyle Mills.