India defeated New Zealand by 22 runs in the fifth and final ODI at Bay Oval on Sunday to clinch the five-match series 3-1, producing an impressive bowling performance after being restricted to 209 in their first innings.
Defending a modest target of 210, India’s bowlers kept New Zealand under pressure throughout the chase and dismissed the hosts for 187, sealing the series despite another disappointing outing from the top order.
India’s innings began poorly, with Rohit Sharma departing for seven and Virat Kohli managing just five. Ruturaj Gaikwad also failed to convert his start, scoring 18 as India slipped to 34/3 inside the first nine overs.
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel attempted to rebuild the innings, with Iyer contributing 22 before falling to Blair Tickner. Axar then joined Ishan Kishan to stabilise the middle order. Both batters scored 46, but their dismissals prevented India from building a substantial total.
Naman Dhir added 22, while Mohammed Siraj remained unbeaten on 14. Arshdeep Singh provided a late burst with 14 runs off just four deliveries, including two sixes, as India were bowled out in 42.1 overs.
For New Zealand, Jacob Duffy and captain Mitchell Santner claimed three wickets each, while Matthew Fisher picked up two. Michael Bracewell and Tickner took one wicket apiece.
In reply, New Zealand made a steady start but lost Tim Seifert early to Siraj. Will Young, who had scored a century in the previous ODI, made 22 before Arshdeep Singh dismissed him with a sharp delivery, completed by a diving catch from Gaikwad.
Arshdeep continued to trouble the hosts, removing Nick Kelly for 24. Siraj then struck to send Finn Allen back for one, leaving New Zealand struggling at 83/4.
Dean Foxcroft offered resistance with 31, while Michael Bracewell and captain Santner attempted to keep the chase alive. However, Yash Thakur claimed his maiden ODI wicket by dismissing Foxcroft, and India’s bowlers continued to chip away at the lower order.
Santner scored 24 before falling to Naman Dhir, further denting New Zealand’s hopes. The hosts eventually fell 22 runs short, handing India a series-clinching victory.
The result marked a strong response from India following their 244-run defeat in the fourth ODI, when New Zealand had bowled them out for just 89. India finished the series with a 3-1 advantage, having recovered from that heavy setback to close the tour’s ODI leg with a win.
