Leg-spinner Amit Mishra reveled on a slow, turning surface in Visakhapatnam, exploiting the conditions wonderfully to help India beat New Zealand by 190 runs in the fifth and deciding One-Day International on Saturday. After India put up a par 269/6 on the board, Mishra took five wickets to help the hosts bowl New Zealand out for a humiliating 79.
The Indians were on top right from the first over of New Zealand's chase, as Umesh Yadav knocked Martin Guptill's stumps over with a beautiful delivery that moved away from the right-hander. Jasprit Bumrah got the second, that of Tom Latham, before the spinners stepped in. Mishra (5/18), Axar Patel (2/9) and debutant off-spinner Jayant Yadav (1/8) then spun a web around the Kiwi batsmen, who had no answers. The best of Mishra's five was his third to dismiss BJ Watling – a wonderful googly that the batsman had no clue about.
Earlier, India rode on half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and a couple of forties from MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav, to take them to 269/6.
Brief scores:
India 269/6 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 70, Virat Kohli 65; Ish Sodhi 2/66) beat New Zealand 79 in 23.1 overs (Kane Williamson 27; Amit Mishra 5/18, Axar Patel 2/9) by 190 runs.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!