Last Updated on 15 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Team India staged a remarkable comeback with the ball to defend 209 in the fifth and final ODI against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui to claim the series 3-1. While the batting unit delivered an insipid performance, the bowlers had other ideas to ensure a 22-run victory for the tourists. It also proved to be India’s first overseas ODI series triumph since Gautam Gambhir became their head coach.
With the Kiwis electing to field first, they had the Men in Blue on the mat from the outset. Matt Fisher dismissed big guns Virat Kohli (5) and Rohit Sharma (7) in his back-to-back overs, while Ruturaj Gaikwad’s dismissal by Jacob Duffy reduced India to 34/3.
The visitors had only one 50-run stand that came between Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer, whose dismissal in the 18th over of the innings halted their momentum. Axar (46) and Ishan Kishan (46) top-scored jointly for India, before cameos from Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj towards the end gave the Men in Blue a 200+ score.
Chasing a modest 210, the Black Caps had a decent start with a 26-run opening stand. Even at 82/2, the Kiwis were firmly in the hunt for the win and levelling the series. However, not only did the hosts lose wickets consistently but their run-scoring slowed down.
At 119/6, Mitchell Santner joined hands with Kristian Clarke. But the partnership extended to only 39 as Naman Dhir’s golden arm dismissed Santner for 24. The home side still took the match deep and brought the equation down to 23 off 12 deliveries. But Axar got Blair Tickner stumped after the latter stepped out to seal the win.
Arshdeep Singh, who was crowned as the Player of the Match, was the pick of the bowlers for his figures of 10-2-30-3. Mohammed Siraj and Axar took two each, while Yash Thakur, Auqib Nabi and Naman Dhir snared one apiece. It is also first ODI series loss at home for the Black Caps since 2019.
Reacting to dishing out big hits at the back end, Arshdeep, the left-arm seamer, said at the post-game presentation:
“Love batting at No. 11. Although some team-mates say that I am scared of the ball. Siraj and I thought of getting quick runs and ensuring we cross 200 so that we have something to bowl at. We were disciplined in our bowling even when we weren’t getting wickets.”
