Kohli, Rohit, bowlers help India take 3-0 ODI series lead against NZ

Rohit Sharma bats against New Zealand during their third one day international cricket match at Bay Oval, Tauranga, New Zealand, Monday, Jan. 28, 2019.

Virat Kohli-led Team India beat hosts New Zealand by seven wickets in the third one-day international played in Mount Maunganui on Monday to take 3-0 series lead with two games to spare.

Rohit Sharma scored 62 runs off 77 balls while captain Virat Kohli's 60 came off 74 balls as the duo put on a partnership of 113 for the second wicket to ease India's chase of 243, which the visitors achieved in 43 overs at the cost of only 3 wickets.

Earlier, New Zealand was all out for 243 in the 49th over with Ross Taylor scoring 93 and Tom Latham 51. Indian pacer Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers for India, taking 3 wickets for 41 runs. But it was Hardik Pandya, who stole the show and for the right reasons. The Baroda all-rounder displayed fine bowling skills to take 2 wickets for 45 runs on his return to the ODI side.

Virat Kohli's stand on the kind of balance that the Baroda all-rounder brings to the side stood vindicated during another controlled bowling effort by the visitors.

Except for the 119-run fourth wicket stand between Ross Taylor (93 off 106 balls) and Tom Latham (51 off 64 balls), New Zealand couldn't really accelerate against the Indian attack on a pitch that was a touch slower compared to the second ODI.

Mohammed Shami (3/41 in 9 overs), once again provided the first breakthrough as he made Colin Munro (7) edge one to Rohit Sharma in the slip cordon.

BCCI tweeted India's feat on their official social handle.

India and New Zealand will square off in Hamilton for the fourth game in the series on Thursday

(With inputs from PTI)

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