India v New Zealand ODI series: Top 5 Highlights

The India v New Zealand series came to a close when Axar Patel breached the impregnable defenses of southpaw Mitchell Santner. This signified India’s 190-run win against the Kiwis and also signified that the Kiwis have not been able to overwhelm the Indians in their own backyard on 5 attempts. While this proved that the Indians broke their ODI losing streak at home, this also highlighted a few important aspects of the game the Indians have improved in recent times. First and foremost will be the fact that this was Anil Kumble’s first ODI series as well as series win as a coach. Second was the fact that the future of Indian cricket is in good hands, especially given the fact that this was a second string Indian team of sorts. That said, here are five of the most prominent things that took place in the recently concluded series. 1. Kedar Jadhav chances his ‘golden arm’ Indian team celebrates a wicket. (Photo Source: BCCI) Kedar Jadhav is very much a second-string player for India in ODI cricket. The 31-year old is supremely talented and there is simply no doubt about that. Yet, when he competes with the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and the rest of the Brady Bunch, Kedar Jadhav almost always settles for the silver medal. However, this time around, under the leadership of MS Dhoni, the 31-year old unearthed a new avatar. While one sees him as a good finisher of the side, the other sees him as a more than handy part-time bowler. Jadhav chanced his arm in all the five matches he played in and also picked wickets at regular intervals. For a man who was content with keeping wickets, his off-spin certainly came in handy time and again as he claimed six wickets in the series. 2. Hardik Pandya and Amit Mishra make it count with the ball When Hardik Pandya made his way back into the grand scheme of things, it was not taken with a pinch of salt. The youngster had been left out of the side time and again following a semi-impressive performance in the World T20 which the Indians had ceased to win. However, in spite of this, the 22-year old bounced back to perhaps his best form as he impressed quite a bit in the first ODI in Dharamsala. Amit Mishra, on the other hand, impressed as well after being the highest wicket-taker in the series with 15 wickets. Having been tipped to become the face of the Indian spin bowling unit in recent times, Amit Mishra had a torrid start to life under Kumble only to make a comeback with an impressive bowling performance in the final ODI which saw him claim a 5-wicket haul. 3. Virat Kohli guides India to victory yet again (Photo Source: BCCI) As has been the narrative for a while now, any ODI series does not conclude without a masterpiece from Virat Kohli. Although the 27-year old was marginally sketchy in the Test series with the bat, Kohli impressed in the second ODI at Mohali, a match that saw him claim his 26th ODI ton. The Indian Test skipper has impressed with some impressive performances in recent times and has a soft corner for the Mohali ground. The last time he played here, he decimated the Australians and led his side into the semifinals of the World T20. However, this time around, Kohli batted with a smile on his face. Perhaps the good riddance paid off with some impressive batting. He guided the Indians to a win and remained unbeaten on 154 at the close of the innings, something he has done time and time again. 4. Kane Williamson slams a quickfire ton in Delhi (Photo Source: BCCI) At 26, Kane Williamson is one of the most technically sound batsmen one can find. Although he does take after Martin Crowe in his hunger to get quick runs, it seems quite clear that Williamson’s calmness is a trademark of the 26-year old. While the tour of India was nothing short of a disaster for the youngster, it seemed quite clear that he had just the one moment of triumph as a skipper and as a batsman. This came in his innings of 118 compiled against the Indians at Delhi. The 26-year old slammed the Indian bowlers to different parts and put a massive price on his wicket as the Indian bowlers had no answer to his onslaught. However, the Kiwis were cleaned out by the Indian bowlers for 242 and, despite the fact the Indians lost the match it proved that Williamson was the lone crusader at the time. 5. MS Dhoni shows that he has still got it MS Dhoni. (Photo Source: BCCI) When MS Dhoni had his multi Billion-Dollar biopic made, many questioned his commitment towards the Indian team. Not because of anything else but the fact that he had achieved almost everything achievable in the grand scheme of things in a career that had spanned a little over a decade. Moreover, there were those questioning his ability to finish matches, something Dhoni candidly mentioned that the ability for which was diminishing rather significantly. However, in spite of this, Dhoni’s performance at Mohali was something that made one and all who doubted him eat their words right back. The 35-year old Indian skipper rolled back the years as he smashed his way to a well-made 80. This knock included a few trademark sixes as well as a few boundaries, something Dhoni had played last in the 2011 World Cup final. Also read: Twitter Reactions: Yuvraj Singh registers the highest ever score by Punjab captain in Ranji history

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India v New Zealand ODI series: Top 5 Highlights

3. Virat Kohli guides India to victory yet again

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