Captain Haddock must have described it as ten thousand blistering barnacles; but we simply call it superb. Sehwag on top form proved that Vettori’s apprehension prior to the series was not without reason - the stadiums in New Zealand are indeed too small to contain a cricketer with such batting prowess as India’s Virender Sehwag. And the foremost pillar of batting line up of current Indian team has already got his reward for his excellent performance against the Black Caps - he took a speedy flight to fly past nine places to finally settle on the sixth position in the latest  ODI ranking for the batsmen. For Sehwag it is the first time in nearly six years that he could make it into top ten.

Just recall his power packed ton that earned him a place in cricket record book as the scorer of fastest century, toppling Azharuddin from the place of honor, as Viru took just 60 deliveries as compared to Azzu’s 62 to make his cricket score of 125 runs off just 74 balls. This also earns him the seventh spot in the chart of international cricket’s top ten fastest ODI batsmen. The brilliant 125 runs innings also fetched him the Man of the Match award in Hamilton. In the five ODI matches against the Black Caps, the total collection in Viru’s kitty amounts to 299 runs.

Sachin too reclaimed his position in top twenty after playing a big role in steering India to a series win against the hosts. With his cricket scores of 20, 61 and 163 not out in the successive matches Tendulkar too made an impressive upward journey to finish off at the 13th spot. He got past eight places to claim his new position in the latest ICC ODI ranking. Another amazing achiever is Yuvraj; he reached the third place in the all-rounder's list - best ranking so far in his international cricket career. However in ODI batsman’s table, Yuvi slide down one place to finish it off at the fourth.

So far as the position of Indian team is concerned, the 3-1 series win gained her two ratings points. In the ICC ODI Championship, India has amassed 122 rating points and this places her just three rating points behind the top slot holder South Africa and two points behind Australia which is currently holds the second position. The series did not go well for the Kiwis - the ODI defeat cost them two rating points and place them only one rating point ahead of Pakistan. Beyond the rankings, the kiwis will remember the series for Sehwag and the explosive way he spanked them in their home ground. Once again, borrowing from Herge - Captain Haddock might have called it thundering typhoons, but we simply call it destructive.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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