MOUNT MAUNGANUI (New Zealand): India pulled off a dramatic seven-run win over New Zealand in the fifth and final Twenty20 on Sunday to sweep the series.
New Zealand looked on course for a consolation win but India engineered a collapse that saw six wickets fall for 25 runs with Jasprit Bumrah taking three for 12 off his four overs.
It was the third consecutive game the Indians had successfully fought back when New Zealand were in a position of strength.
Winning habit helped us: Rahul
“It’s a winning habit that we’ve cultivated over the years and all of us, when we step on the park, we want to win,” said KL Rahul, who captained India after Virat Kohli was rested and stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma limped from the field with a calf injury.
“It’s good to be standing here 5-0. Every time we were put under pressure and every time we felt there were no answers we came up with the answers and somehow squeezed the win.”
Kohli said India’s philosophy was to never give up.
“The conversation we had in the changing room was always look at finding a way to win and that’s something we have been working on as a team and when it comes together nicely it feels really good,” he said.
India scored 163 for three batting first, New Zealand appeared to be cruising towards victory with Ross Taylor leading the chase after a disastrous start.
New Zealand were three for 17 after 20 deliveries before Taylor (53) and Tim Seifert (50) put on 99 for the fourth wicket.
With 45 balls remaining, New Zealand were three for 116, but when Seifert was dismissed the innings lack the bite.
By the start of the last over New Zealand had been reduced to nine for 143 and although Ish Sodhi belted two sixes India retained control.
“I don’t think it’s a massive gap. I know the series scoreline suggests that but the with the games being reasonably close it’s just doing those small things a little bit better,” said Tim Southee, who led New Zealand with Kane Williamson injured.
The first of a three-match One-day international series in Hamilton on Wednesday.
