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PHOTOS: New Zealand complete 4-0 series sweep over India
New Zealand thrashed India by 87 runs in the fifth and final one-dayer to complete a 4-0 drubbing of the visitors in the five-match ODI series at the
Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Friday.
Ross Taylor slammed his second successive hundred to power New Zealand to a challenging 303 for five. In reply, the visitors were bowled out for just 216 in 49.4 overs.
Taylor's 106-ball innings (102) was studded with 10 hits to the fence and one six.
It was his 10th ODI hundred, second in succession, after his match-winning 112 in Hamilton on Tuesday.
He finished the series as the second highest scorer, with 343 runs in five matches (@85.75).
Aaron was the pick of the Indian bowlers
Earlier, India skipper MS Dhoni won the toss for the fifth consecutive time and opted to bowl first, reverting to his original strategy in the first three matches.
Varun Aaron (2-60) was the most successful Indian bowler, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1-48) and Mohammad Shami (1-61) provided decent support.
Aaron first had Martin Guptill (16) caught by Shami in the 13th over and returned to account for Kane Williamson (88), caught at point by Ajinkya Rahane.
Williamson cored his fifth consecutive half-century of the series
Williamson blasted eight fours and one six in his 91-ball innings.
He scored his fifth consecutive half-century of the series, his 11th overall in ODIs, reaching the mark off 64 balls, with three fours, in the 30th over.
The 23-year-old equalled the record of Pakistan's Yasir Hameed against New Zealand back in 2003, and in doing so, became only the second batsman to achieve the feat.
He also helped Taylor put on 152 runs for the third wicket, the partnership laying the foundation for a solid total (303 for five).
Williamson finished the series as the highest scorer, aggregating 361 runs from five matches (@72.20).
He also picked a couple of wickets in the Indian innings.
Kohli was impressive yet again
Virat Kohli took the only other Kiwi wicket to fall, while the spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin (0-37) and Ravindra Jadeja (0-54) went wicket-less.
And when India were chasing, Kohli expectedly was the team's best batsman, scoring 82.
Kohli added 67 runs for the fifth wicket with Mahendra Singh Dhoni (47) to help the team recover from a precarious 78 for four.
His dismissal marked the end of India's chase.
Henry made an impressive bowling debut for New Zealand
When New Zealand came in to defend the target, it was the turn of Matt Henry to impress with the ball.
The debutant first had Shikhar Dhawan (9) caught by Nathan McCullum at second slip in what was just his second over, a wicket-maiden.
In his fourth over, Henry had Ajinkya Rahane (2) out leg before.
Returning for a second spell, in the 24th over, he struck with his final delivery, having Ambati Rayudu (20) caught by Williamson over square.
In his final spell, he had Bhuvneshwar Kumar (20) caught by Luke Ronchi to finish with a haul of four for 38 on debut.