†INDIA v NEW ZEALAND 1988-89

At Indore, December 15. India won by 53 runs. Toss: New Zealand. After a delay owing to misgivings over the pitch and the outfield, which were well below international standards, the match was reduced to 45 overs. But it was with great reluctance that the teams took the field. India's opener, Chandrasekhar, another dasher from Madras, struck the bowling lustily to make his 53 off 75 balls, and after the New Zealanders had fought their way back, Ajay Sharma took the match away from them with brilliant, hard-hitting strokes. He hooked the last ball of the innings for six over long leg to reach 52 off 31 balls, having hit two earlier sixes and three fours. The visitors began their chase at a slow pace and at 93 for three from 30 overs from were well out of it. Greatbatch, run out in the first two matches, gave the innings some respectability with 64 off 95 balls, but only two other batsmen made double figures. Srikkanth became the first Indian to pick up five wickets in an innings on two occasions.

Man of the Match: Ajay Sharma.