India thrashes New Zealand by 73 runs to sweep series

KATHMANDU, November 22: It was yet another comprehensive victory for India as they beat New Zealand by 73 runs to secure a 3-0 clean sweep in the T20I series.

This was India's second-successive clean sweep victory against New Zealand in a T20I series, having registered a 5-0 win over the Kiwis at their own turf in January 2020. India's lower-middle order played a key role in steering India to a strong total of 184/7 before Axar Patel (3/9) rocked the New Zealand run-chase with three quick wickets early on.

Chasing a target of 185, New Zealand were bowled out for 111 with Martin Guptill top-scoring with a fine 36-ball 51. Earlier, India, after opting to bat first, had put up 184 runs on the board for the loss of seven wickets. Skipper Rohit Sharma top-scored for Team India with his 56-run knock. Rohit added 69 runs with Ishan Kishan (29) for the first wicket. Later, Shreyas Iyer (25), Deepak Chahar (21*), Venkatesh Iyer (20) (and Harshal Patel (18) played good cameos with the bat and guided India to a strong score. 

For New Zealand, stand-in skipper Mitchell Santner was the stand-out bowler with his figures of 3/27 in four overs.