INDORE, India, Jan 24, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Blazing centuries from skipper Rohit

Sharma and fellow opener Shubman Gill took India to a formidable 385-9,
despite a middle-order wobble in Tuesday's third and final one-day
international against New Zealand.

Rohit (101) and Gill (112) put on 212 for the opening wicket in Indore to lay
a solid foundation for the innings, with the hosts already holding an
unassailable 2-0 series lead.

New Zealand's bowlers hit back after the pair's departure on a batting-
friendly pitch, where at one stage the hosts looked set to go well past 400.

India slipped to 293-5 before Hardik Pandya took charge, boosting the total
with a 38-ball 54, including three fours and three sixes.

Rohit and Gill, who hit a match-winning 208 in the series opener, started
cautiously with India reaching 17-0 in the first four overs before the pair
exploded with boundaries.

Gill smashed Lockie Ferguson for four fours and a six in a 22-run eighth over
and Rohit joined the party with a few big hits over the fence.

It was the highest opening partnership by any team against the Kiwis in the
50-over format, surpassing the 201-run stand of Virender Sehwag and Gautam
Gambhir in 2009.

Gill recorded his third 100-plus score in his last four ODI innings, taking
off his helmet and basking in applause from the stands when he crossed the
milestone. Rohit made his first ODI century since January 2019.

Michael Bracewell bowled Rohit and Blair Tickner sent back Gill in the next
over and India soon lost regular wickets, despite a brisk 36 from Virat
Kohli.

The left-handed Ishan Kishan was run out after a mix-up with Kohli, who soon
fell to Jacob Duffy, before Pandya hit back.

Pandya put on 54 runs for the seventh wicket with Shardul Thakur, who hit 25,
the hosts hitting 60 runs in the final five overs.