India registered a clean sweep over New Zealand in a three-match ODI series, by winning the final game by a convincing margin of 90 runs. This was the Indian team’s seventh win in a row as the Men in Blue remain lossless in 2023. India was guided by Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill’s stunning centuries. However, the player of the match award was won by Shardul Thakur for an all-round performance.
Shardul Thakur picked three crucial wickets for India in the second innings, which halted New Zealand’s momentum. The Kiwis were doing well in the chase and were looking like they could take the game deep. Shardul’s intervention led to India’s win and he received the due praise from the captain Rohit Sharma in the post-match presentation ceremony.
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As per the quotes in India Today, Rohit Sharma said, “Conway and Nicholls were playing so well but Shardul provided us with much-needed breakthroughs at that stage and turned the game. Shardul has been doing this for a while, so some people call him ‘Magician’. every time I’ve given Kuldeep the ball, he brings wickets. Just need to give him more games under his belt, because wristspinners get better as they play more.”
He further added, “As a young player that is important. He (Shubman) can easily sit on top of his laurels and take it easy, but he doesn’t. The 30th century means a lot to me, it was important to play long and take the team to a good total. Honestly, we don’t talk too much about rankings. It’s about winning games and it won’t be different when we play the Tests against Australia. It won’t be an easy challenge but we’re up for it.”
The Indian captain revealed that the team calls Shardul ‘The Magician’ in the dressing room for his indestructible belief.
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With the win, India is now ranked at the top of both white-ball formats and has the chance to get to the top of the Test rankings if they defeat Australia in the four-match Test series, scheduled to be commencing in February. The Indian team will hope to take the momentum forward given the side will hope to play two major finals – the World Test Championship Final and possibly the final of the ODI World Cup.
