Mount Maunganui: Rohit Sharma's fifty, Indian pacers led by Jasprit Bumrah to help India script an unprecedented 5-0 series whitewash with a seven-run victory against New Zealand in the fifth and final T20I here on Sunday.
With the series already in the bag after they won the first four matches of the five-match series, skipper Virat Kohli decided to rest in the final game with deputy Rohit Sharma leading the charge.
India, electing to bat first, rode Rohit's fifty to post 163/3 in 20 overs. India choked New Zealand yet again to turn it around for a seven-run win in the fifth T20 International, giving them a rare 5-0 series whitewash in the shortest format in Mount Maunganui on February 2.
India’s total was built around stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma’ 60-run knock after they elected to bat. Chasing 164 for victory, the Kiwis were reduced to 17/3 before Ross Taylor (53) and Tim Seifert (50) got together for a 99-run fourth wicket partnership.
Tim Seifert (50) and Ross Taylor (53) kept the Black Caps in hunt for a consolation win but the hosts again fell near the finish line. For the Kiwis, regular captain Kane Williamson, who did not play the last T20I also due to a shoulder niggle, decided not to risk himself with Tim Southee leading in this game too.
Rahul missed out on a half century as he fell to leading edge off Hamish Bennett with Santner taking a simple catch at cover.
Rohit brought up his 21st T20I fifty in 35 balls and looked good for a big one but he was starved of the strike by the brilliant Bennett as he made Shreyas Iyer work hard for runs in the 14th over. Rohit then suffered from cramps and had to give up eventually after not being able to run.
This is only third time that India have whitewashed opponents in away T20 series and first time in a five-match rubber. India had blanked the West Indies 3-0 in 2019 and beat Australia 3-0 in 2016.
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