Team India cricketer KL Rahul had an outstanding day in the business as the Men in Blues registered a 5-0 series win against New Zealand. They defeated the Kiwis by seven runs at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui to finish the series on a high. Meanwhile, Rahul showed exceptional wicket-keeping skills after starring with the bat.
Earlier in the day, India again lost Sanju Samson but KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma combined well to set up India for a challenging total. They added 88 runs for the second wicket before Rahul gave it away five-short of another half-century. Rohit although crossed his fifty but had to retire hurt with an injured calf, Shreyas Iyer ensured India have a challenging total on the scoreboard.
New Zealand lost three quick wickets to strive at 17 for three in pursuit of 164 runs. Martin Guptill, Tom Bruce and Colin Munro all fell inside the first 20 balls of the chase. While Guptill and Munro departed playing rash shots, it took a special effort from India’s stand-in-skipper KL Rahul to send back Tom Bruce.
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The incident took place in the fourth over of the New Zealand inning when KL Rahul produced another moment of brilliance but this time with the wicket-keeping gloves on. Tom Bruce struck one straight in the hands of Sanju Samson positioned at extra-cover and sets for a single that was never on. Samson collected the ball and ran a few yards before aiming the wickets. There was no-one backing up and KL Rahul came from nowhere to gather the ball and whip off the bails diving forward.
Meanwhile, Bruce was always going to be gone by yards, given the massive mix up that Seifert had initiated. His only hope was if the throw missed, but Rahul was alert to the cause as Bruce went back to the pavilion registering his second consecutive ducks. KL Rahul was apparently very happy with the effort as India took early stead while defending the total.
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Although Tim Seifer and Ross Taylor steered the inning after an early collapse, Jasprit Bumrah ensured India keep a clean sheet. They added 99 runs for the fourth wicket by Bumrah’s figure of three for 12 from four overs guided India to a convincing series victory.
