How India's lethal bowlers have stolen the show in New Zealand

Three matches into their 2019 tour of New Zealand, the Indian team have already sealed the ODI series by taking an unassailable lead. This is India's second ODI series victory in New Zealand. MS Dhoni's team had won 3-1 in 2009.

With their dominant performance, India have also exorcized the demons of their of 0-4 defeat in the 2014 series in New Zealand. While the 1994 and 1999 ODI series in New Zealand ended in 2-2 draws, India lost the 2-match ODI series in 1976 and 1981.

Now, the times have changed. This Virat Kohli-led brigade is capable of defeating any side in their backyard. They have made a strong New Zealand side feel like 'foreigners' on their own land.

There is no guarantee that a team performs better on their own soil. But, if the history of the previous ODI series between New Zealand and India is taken into account, then this trend can be seen.

New Zealand have won more matches on their land whereas India have dominated at their home. Whenever a team travels abroad, their strength decreases. However, this Indian side is different as they play to win and not just compete.

While this series win is an extraordinary victory for India, it's also an embarrassing defeat for the Kiwis. Indian bowlers were on top of their batsmen due to which New Zealand were bundled out before the full quota of 50 overs in all three matches.

On the other hand, the Kiwi bowlers could only manage to take 9 Indian wickets combined from the three matches played in the series. The Indian batsmen put up a professional show in each match and made sure they kept wickets in hand until their team reached the necessary total.

There are 3 Indian batsmen in the list of top five run-scorers in this ODI series. While Shikhar Dhawan is at number one with 169 runs, Rohit Sharma is second with 160 runs and Virat Kohli is third on the list with 148 runs.

Together, the trio have scored 477 runs out of a total of 725 runs scored by India in the series. On the fourth and fifth places are New Zealand's Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson with 139 and 112 runs respectively.

If we talk about the top bowlers, then Kuldeep Yadav, who has given away only 103 runs off 168 balls, leads the charts with 8 wickets. Mohammed Shami, who has conceded 103 runs in 126 balls, is at the second spot with 7 wickets.

Third on the list is Yuzvendra Chahal, who conceded 146 runs in 170 balls and took 6 wickets. New Zealand's Trent Boult, who has taken four wickets, is at number four. There is only one New Zealand player in the top five and Bhuvneshwar Kumar is fifth with four scalps.

Thanks to their bowlers, India were able to force the New Zealand batsmen to make mistakes right through the innings. While Shami and Bhuvneshwar have shone with the new ball, the wrist-spinners have applied the breaks on the scoring rate in the middle-overs by picking up wickets at regular intervals.

India's bowlers will hope to continue their splendid show in the last two ODI matches and help the team maintain their domination over New Zealand.