Opening batsman Shubman Gill hit an unbeaten 126 as India trounced New Zealand by 168 runs to clinch the T20 international series in the decider on Wednesday.
Gill scored his maiden T20 century for his country as he took the hosts to 234-4 after they chose to bat first in Ahmedabad, the world's biggest cricket ground.
India's bowlers blew away the Kiwis for a just 66 runs in 12.1 overs for a 2-1 series win. The hosts had whitewashed the Kiwis in three one-day matches.
The huge victory was India's biggest ever in T20 internationals and the biggest margin by runs in a match played between two Test-playing nations.
India elected to bat first on a batting-friendly pitch and Gill continued his magnificent run of form – hitting 12 fours and seven sixes in his 63-ball innings.
He had also put the New Zealand bowling to the sword with a double hundred and a ton during the ODI series.
Gill put on 103 runs for the fourth wicket with skipper Hardik Pandya, who made 30. The India captain then took four wickets with his pace bowling, at the 132,000-seater Narendra Modi Stadium.
Off-spinner Michael Bracewell struck early as he trapped Ishan Kishan lbw for one in the second over of the innings.
Gill, 23, hit back with a flurry of boundaries including three in one over off Blair Tickner. Rahul Tripathi, who made 44, joined the charge as the two put on 80 runs.
Tripathi smashed three sixes including one off leg-spinner Ish Sodhi only to hole out next ball in another attempt to clear the ropes.
Gill, who became only the fifth Indian batsman to record centuries across all three formats, found another attacking partner in Suryakumar Yadav who smashed 24 off 13 balls as the two kept up the onslaught.
Tickner cut short Suryakumar's stay with Bracewell taking a sharp catch at mid-on.
But the unstoppable Gill changed gears and raised his ton off 54 balls with a boundary as he took off his helmet and let off a roar.
New Zealand made a horrendous start to their mammoth chase as they lost their top four for just seven runs inside three overs as Arshdeep Singh struck twice in the second over of the innings.
Suryakumar took two spectacular catches at first slip off Pandya's pace bowling to send back Finn Allen, for three, and Glenn Phillips, for two.
Tearaway quick Umran Malik bowled Bracewell before Daryl Mitchell, who made 35, and skipper Mitchell Santner attempted to resist.
Arshdeep, Umran and Shivam Mavi took two wickets each.
India will now head into the hotly anticipated four-Test series against Australia starting on February 9 in Nagpur.
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Asia Cup Qualifier
Final
UAE v Hong Kong
TV:
Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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