One-day international, Vadodara:
India 229-1 (39.3 overs) beat New Zealand 224-9 (50 overs) by nine wickets
Match scorecard
 Gambhir's sensational form inspired India to a resounding series win |
Gautam Gambhir hit a second successive century as India thrashed New Zealand by nine wickets to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in their five-match series. Zaheer Khan, Ravichandran Ashwin and Yusuf Pathan claimed two wickets apiece as the Kiwis were restricted to 224-9 off their 50 overs in Vadodara. India lost Murali Vijay for 30 but cantered to victory in 39.3 overs, with Gambhir smashing 126 not out. Virat Kohli (63 not out) hit the winning runs with a six over long-on. Gambhir, captaining the side in the absence of rested regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, continued where he left off in Jaipur, where an unbeaten 138 steered India to an eight-wicket victory in the second one-day international. The left-handed opener was once again in sparkling form, adding 115 for the first wicket with Vijay and another 114 with Kohli.  | 606: DEBATE |
He faced 117 balls and struck 16 fours as New Zealand slumped to their eighth one-day defeat in a row. "It was an important game because we did not want to give New Zealand any scope for a comeback in this series," said Gambhir. Earlier, Zaheer removed the dangerous Brendon McCullum off the second ball of the innings and spinners Ashwin and Pathan tore through the middle order as the Kiwis slumped to 106-7. James Franklin led a mini revival with a career-best 72 not out, sharing 94 runs for the eighth wicket with Nathan McCullum (43). Kyle Mills boosted the total with 15 off nine balls before he was run out off the final delivery of the innings. "We knew 224 was never going to be enough," New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said. "It was really tough early on. The track got better, and India played exceptionally well, with Gambhir leading the way. "We have to keep fighting. Our top order needs to stand up, and hopefully that will happen in the next couple of games."
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