India beat New Zealand in fifth ODI, win series 5-0

India whitewashed New Zealand in the five-match series by winning the fifth and final one-dayer by eight wickets here on Friday.

Opting to bat first, New Zealand were bowled out for 103 in 27 overs at the M.A.Chidambaram Stadium. It was also the lowest in the ground after Zimbabwe’s 139 against Australia on October 30, 1987.

India also started the chase on a poor note after skipper Gautam Gambhir fell in the very second ball and went back without opening his account. Virat Kohli (2) also departed in the fourth over as India stumbled to 10 for two.

Parthiv Patel (56) and Yuvraj Singh (42 not out) then took India to a win with their 97-run stand as India achieved 107 runs in 21.1 overs

Off-spinner Ravichandran Aswhim impressed with figures of three for 24 while Ashish Nehra, Yuvraj Singh and Yusuf Pathan sclaped two wickets each to destroy New Zealand.

Brendon McCullum (14), Jamie How (23), Scott Styris (24) and James Franklin (17 not out) ? could manage double figures.

Praveen Kumar started New Zealand’s downfall when he had opener Martin Guptill caught behind by Parthiv Patel in the fourth ball with the visitors yet to open their account.

How and Styris then tried to resurrect the Kiwi innings with an 43-run fourth wicket stand before three quick wickets in a span of four runs did the visitors in.

Yuvraj, Ashwin and Pathan then combined well with the ball to destroy the Kiwis.

Ashwin signed it off for India in the fourth and sixth delivery of the 27th over, claiming the last two Kiwi batsmen — Kyle Mills and Tim Southee.