The stylish right-hander notched his 26th one-day international century to help India take a 2-1 series lead over the Black Caps
Match Report:
ScorecardBrilliant Kohli sinks Kiwis in third ODI
Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten 154 to make short work of a seemingly steep target as India beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the third one-day international in Mohali, to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series on Sunday.
New Zealand, who won the last match in Delhi to tie the series at 1-1, were all out for 285 in the 50th over after India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and opted to field.
India chased down the target with 10 balls to spare, riding on Kohli's 26th century in the 50-over format.
The hosts lost both openers early, with Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane departing inside the first nine overs and, with the required run rate climbing, needed a solid partnership to get back on track.
Kohli, who was dropped on six by Ross Taylor off paceman Matt Henry, and Dhoni (80), who promoted himself up the batting order to No.4, provided just that with a brisk third-wicket stand of 151 runs.
India's test captain Kohli, who will turn 28 next month, finished things off with an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 97 with Manish Pandey (28 not out).
With India needing 23 from 18 balls, the stylish right-hander, who scored an unbeaten 85 in the first ODI, tore into left-armer Trent Boult, hitting three fours and a six in his over to plunder 22 runs.
Earlier, James Neesham (57) and Matt Henry (39 not out) added 84 for the ninth wicket to prop up New Zealand after the touring side had been reduced to 8-199 following a middle-order collapse.
Opener Tom Latham top-scored for the Black Caps with 61 and the side were comfortably placed at 2-153 in the 29th over with a promising partnership of 73 between Latham and Taylor (44).
But they lost their next six wickets for 46 runs before some rearguard action from Neesham and Henry.
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Paceman Umesh Yadav and off-spinner Kedar Jadhav each picked up three wickets for the hosts though the former proved expensive, conceding 75 runs in his 10 overs.
The fourth ODI will be played in Ranchi on Wednesday.