Clinical India hammer New Zealand to take T20 series

India openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul scored half-centuries as the hosts romped home by seven wickets against New Zealand in Ranchi Friday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Twenty20 series.

Chasing 154, India made light work of the target as a 117-run stand between skipper Rohit (55) and Rahul (65) laid the foundation for an easy win wrapped up by Venkatesh Iyer (12 not out) and Rishabh Pant (12 not out) with 16 balls to spare.

Rohit was at his belligerent best as he smashed five sixes and was ably complemented by Rahul, who continued his fine form and struck six boundaries and two sixes of his own.

Earlier, New Zealand had got off to a flying start after being put in to bat with Martin Guptill (31) and Daryl Mitchell (31) taking 48 runs off pacemen Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar within the first five overs.

But the failure to push on again proved costly for the Kiwis as India squeezed them in the middle overs with terrific bowling performances from spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (1-19) and Axar Patel (1-26), as well as debutant seamer Harshal Patel (2-25).

Glenn Phillips tried to rally the visitors with a 21-ball 34 but New Zealand could only manage 153-6.

The final match of the series will be in Kolkata on Sunday.

ARR