Sehwag powers India to series win Sehwag, India, Gautham, New, Zealand

Sehwag powers India to series win

Virender Sehwag blasted India's fastest one-day hundred as India swept to a comprehensive win that took them to their maiden one-day series triumph in New Zealand. He reached three-figures off 60 balls with a signature six, and his awe-inspiring hitting completely overshadowed Gautam Gambhir's nearly run-a-ball half-century. Daniel Vettori and the rest of the New Zealand bowlers were powerless in the face of the onslaught, and what had seemed a challenging target was whittled down with ridiculous ease.India 201 for 0 (Sehwag 125*, Gambhir 63*) beat New Zealand 270 for 5 (McCullum 77, McGlashan 56*) by 84 runs (D/L method)


Brendon McCullum was the top-scorer for New Zealand yet again
       
India 201 for 0 (Sehwag 125*, Gambhir 63*) beat New Zealand 270 for 5 (McCullum 77, McGlashan 56*) by 84 runs (D/L method)
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Virender Sehwag blasted India's fastest one-day hundred as India swept to a comprehensive win that took them to their maiden one-day series triumph in New Zealand. He reached three-figures off 60 balls with a signature six, and his awe-inspiring hitting completely overshadowed Gautam Gambhir's nearly run-a-ball half-century. Daniel Vettori and the rest of the New Zealand bowlers were powerless in the face of the onslaught, and what had seemed a challenging target was whittled down with ridiculous ease.

Two substantial partnerships at either end of the innings helped New Zealand to a competitive total in their must-win match in Hamilton. Daniel Vettori chose to bat on a pitch offering some early assistance to the bowlers and the openers justified the decision by providing yet another solid start. It was the perfect base for New Zealand but with Ross Taylor and Jacob Oram failing to fire again, India were able to scrap their way back into the game. Peter McGlashan, who made an inventive half-century, and Grant Elliott were unfazed by a couple of rain breaks and cobbled together 95 runs off the last 10 overs to leave India needing 281 to secure their first one-day series in New Zealand.

Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder had hammered 165 in 18 overs in their previous ODI in Hamilton, but their effort today was less frenzied. Ryder started off with a couple of boundaries in the first over - a trademark cover drive and a french-cut - but there were no more for New Zealand till the eighth over.

Ryder did much of the early scoring, but had a torrid time against the new-ball bowlers. Praveen Kumar's away-swingers had him fishing outside offstump and also struggled to cope with Zaheer Khan's indippers.