Yuvi comes good as India blank NZ again

Chennai, Dec. 10: It took a little over than two hours for the New Zealand innings to fold up without a fight in the fifth and final one-day international at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Friday and a target of 104 was never enough to test the strong Indian top-order.

The writing on the wall was clear and the brownwash duly achieved. It was another professional display from this young Indian side much in tune with what had transpired in the earlier matches. Yuvraj Singh was named man of the match for his all-round effort.

The first 30 minutes set the tone for India’s most dominant win of the series. The overcast conditions and damp wicket were ideal for Praveen Kumar and Ashish Nehra. The seamers did a fine job in not exceeding their limitations and bowling within themselves. It was a clinical display by India with the ball and on the field.

The only trick skipper Gautam Gambhir missed was not attacking with more men catching around the bat when the spinners were introduced.

Praveen threw the gates open with a classic outswinger to Martin Guptill. Brendon McCullum after dominating Nehra with three skilfully struck boundaries paid the price for walking across far too much to be trapped plumb.

Ross Taylor, of whom much was expected, gloved an attempted hook as the ball got skidded high on him with pace. With the top order vanquished, the spinners kept a tight leash to usher an early supper. Nehra joined the 150-wicket club, becoming the 52nd bowler overall and 11th Indian to reach the mark.

There was a recovery of sorts as Scott Styris and Jamie How scratched around for 43 runs. Never in control but showing the heart to fight, the duo were picking up steam when Yuvraj got through How’s defence.

R. Ashwin held the ball back brilliantly to beat Styris in flight. Playing early, the batsman was struck in front. Grant Elliott replacing Andy McKay did not trouble the scorers as India managed to grab three wickets for as many runs in 17 balls.

Yusuf Pathan and Ashwin added two scalps each as the innings terminated quickly. James Franklin’s swipe at Ashwin over mid-wicket was the only stroke of any authority. In 13 overs of spin, India gave away 40 runs and grabbed seven wickets in the bargain.

Small targets can be tricky and two early wickets was a wake up call but Yuvraj and Parthiv Patel quickly demonstrated that there were no demons in the track. New Zealand, starting with spin from both ends found early success. Gambhir nicked McCullum and Virat Kohli was beaten by sharp turn from Daniel Vettori.

The score moved along shakily to 30 off eight overs before the southpaws found their touch against Kyle Mills. With 15 runs off the ninth over, the nerves settled and Parthiv played a few exceptional covers drives off the medium pacers. The unbeaten effort from Parthiv was his second successive half-century. Yuvraj not to be left behind struck the ball with nonchalance and the straight six off Elliott was the last word in timing.

The win that came with 173 deliveries to spare was another Indian record. This was India’s second 5-0 sweep in an ODI series, the first coming against England in 2008-09.