Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can form a devastating partnership in any format. A perfect batting surface saw the two rise to the challenge and propel India to 337 for six in the third and final ODI against New Zealand at the Green Park Stadium here on Sunday.
Despite a brave start by Colin Munro and skipper Kane Williamson, and a late charge by Ross Taylor and Tom Latham, the Kiwis fell agonisingly short of the target. Jasprit Bumrah kept it tight as India clinched the issue by six runs to win the series 2-1.
The ball neither swung nor seamed. It only pushed New Zealand into a corner as Rohit tore into the bowling and Kohli continued to build on his reputation as the best batsman in the world. There were fireworks in the middle and you could hear the sweet sound of the bat meeting the ball as New Zealand came to grief after electing to bowl.
Given the formidable batting strength of India the torrent of runs in the afternoon was unsurprising. What did rankle was the Kiwi bowlers surrendering meekly when faced with skilful batting as portrayed by Rohti and Kohli. The crafty and miserly Trent Boult lost control and came in for a thrashing even as the others, without exception, suffered at the hands of India’s awesome batting strength.
After Shikhar Dhawan departed cheaply, it was a splendid competition between Rohit and Kohli to steal the scene. No bowler had a clue against Rohit and Kohli who preferred to use their feet so astutely, sometimes not even making a movement, playing from the stance position, hitting hard and hitting clear.
There was entertainment. Of course, the bowlers accepted the bashing sportingly because there was little in the pitch for them. It was the dew factor later in the day that prompted New Zealand’s decision to bowl first and line and length, the evergreen mantra to earn respect, was a key factor. New Zealand erred in this department and allowed Rohit and Kohli to call the shots.
Rohit loves a combat. He can take the fight to the bowlers. His repertoire of strokes gives him the confidence to innovate at the crease and he revelled in it at the Green Park. There were some judicious and some ambitious shots as Rohit launched a furious assault. Runs came in all directions and the spectators lapped it up more when Kohli joined the run-plundering act.
In recording their fourth double-hundred partnership, Rohit and Kohli endorsed their quality in style. The 230-run association was dominating and left the opposition gasping under a relentless flurry of shots.
Kohli’s presence allowed Rohit to flourish at the other end as the latter got his 15th century, his fifth this year. The Indian skipper played second fiddle but had his moments of glory in carving a 32nd ODI century.
