We waited three years for this moment, and it happened, FINALLY. Rohit Sharma smashed his 30th ODI century as India completed a comprehensive cleansweep in the three match series against New Zealand.

Batting first, India put up a massive total on board, courtesy centuries from Rohit and Shubman Gill. The duo also registered their first 200-run partnership together (definitely the first of many).

The Kiwis had their moments in the run chase, but Shardul Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav picked up crucial wickets to finish the task for the hosts. India won by 90 runs, and their unbeaten streak on home soil continues!

Fireworks right from the outset

Our openers wasted no time getting going and took full advantage of the field restricted overs. While the skipper got a boundary for himself regularly, Shubman cut loose in the eighth over when he smashed 22 runs off Lockie Ferguson (Not to forget, Gill also smashed him in the first ODI for three consecutive sixes to reach his 200). The scorecard wasn’t just ticking, it was running!

From promising talent, to white-ball legend - Hitman’s 10 year journey

On January 23, 2013, Rohit Sharma started opening the batting in ODIs regularly.. A decade later, the Hitman now has 7,764 runs as an opener at an average of 56.26 (no other opener with 5,000 runs averages above 50). *GOAT STUFF*

A prolonged wait for his 30th ODI ton ended in Indore in vintage Ro-Ro style, taking him on level terms with Ricky Ponting as the joint third-highest century maker in the format. It was also his 28th ton as an opener. *O captain, my captain*

Gill’s rampage continues

While a former prodigy continued to escalate his legendary status, at the other end, there’s another young talent taking giant strides. He brought up his second century of the series, his third in ODIs overall. The batter scored 360 runs in this series, equalling the record for most runs in a three-match ODI series.

A little hiccup, but Hardik-Shardul deliver a good finish

The Kiwis tightened the run flow after the openers departed, but Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur gave the Men in Blue a big finish, scoring 60 runs in the final five overs. Pandya scored his ninth ODI fifty, while Thakur’s cameo accounted for 25 in 17 balls. India finished with 385/9 in 50 overs.

Bowling changes OP from the skipper

We saw this before, Paltan, but let’s reiterate this - “Skipper Ro is a genius”. He brought back Shardul Thakur into the attack after 15 overs and suddenly, India were right back in the game. He picked up the wickets of Mitchell and Latham in consecutive deliveries, before Umran Malik got the prized scalp of Conway. 

Things began going downhill for New Zealand and despite some resistance from Mitch Santner and Michael Bracewell, wickets kept tumbling.

Another big win, another cleansweep, another series in the pocket, another Ro ton, another feather in our hat. #JustThePerfectDay

Brief Scores

India 385/9 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 101, Shubman Gill 112) beat New Zealand 295 all out in 41.2 overs (Devon Conway 138, Shardul Thakur 3/45)