all over, pitched up on middle and he picks it up beautifully, launching it over long-on to seal a series win
India vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI at Vadodara, Dec 04 2010 - Ball by Ball Commentary
Gambhir led India's domination again, with an in-form Kohli continuing to impress. Another comprehensive win, achieved with as much ease, if not more, as the previous game, and New Zealand have been shut out, slipping to their ninth consecutive defeat in completed ODIs. India's seamers set it up with Zaheer marking an excellent return after not playing the first couple of games, and the spinners then doing their bit. On a track that needed at least 270, New Zealand mustered 224 and true to the track's reputation, the chase was easy with Gambhir leading the way. Expect the teams to make some changes in the next couple of games. Stay put, we'll get you the presentation details in a short while.
Time for the presentation.
Vettori: "A good toss to win. The ball seamed and spun and the track was a bit damp. But as the wicket dried out, 224 was never going to be enough. It was really tough early on. The track got better, and India played exceptionally well, with Gambhir leading the way. We were pushing hard to be as simple as possible. The pressure is not off our backs, we have to keep fighting and it's about time we showed we some good players in the team. Our top order needs to stand up, and hopefully that'll happen in the next couple of games."
Gambhir is Man of the Match: "It was an important game because we did not want to give New Zealand any scope for a comeback this series. Zaheer is a quality bowler and he got Brendon McCullum in the first over, and that set up the game for us. Munaf has been bowling well throughout, as well in the Ranji Trophy. It's good for Indian cricket. Any hundred would be important because I have seen a lot of low scores in the recent past. We've decided before the game that this is a three-game series after the first two matches, and we'll try to put the best side forward."
That's it folks. Thanks for your feedback. See you again for a couple of dead rubbers, on December 7 and December 10. Before you log off for the day, catch up on all the action from a full Saturday of Premier League action on ESPNsoccernet, and follow another two games later on Sunday. Also, don't forget to read Sid Monga's bulletin for the match which is up. Okay, adios.
straying down the leg side and gifts India a free run with that wide
length ball on middle, just pushes it to mid-on
short of a good length on the off, punched straight to extra cover
yorker length on the off, is dug out towards cover
short on middle, pulled away to deep square leg for a single
tries to pull that slower one away, it cuts in to rap him on the arm
this is ending soon, length ball and he wastes no time, deposits it with one clean swing over the long-on boundary, actually it just landed on the rope, still six
banged in short on middle, whipped away through square leg into that gap between deep square leg and fine leg, Nathan McCullum dived to his right but scraped against the rope at the point of contact, Kohli raises another half-century, his second in a row and his fourth consecutive fifty-plus score
Franklin it is
back of a length on the off, punches it back to the bowler
back of a length, crunched off the back foot to deep cover for a single
yorker from round the wicket, on the off stump, it's dug out into the off side
full on the off, driven straight to mid-off
full outside off, steered towards deep point for a single
back of a length on middle, worked to deep square leg for a single
banged in short outside off, backed out of a shot, was tempted to go for it but withdrew at the right time
short of a good length, punched off the back foot to mid-off
had picked his spot and executed that shot to perfection, there is a yawning gap between deep midwicket and deep square leg, Gambhir stepped out, picked it from a length and just chipped it into the gap, effortless and yields four
arm ball outside off, slightly short, opens the face, runs it short third man
worked away off the back foot to short fine leg