New Zealand’s bowlers produced a disciplined performance to bundle India out for 209 in 42.1 overs in the final ODI at Bay Oval on Sunday, with Jacob Duffy, Mitchell Santner and Matthew Fisher combining to keep the visitors under constant pressure.
Duffy returned figures of 3/60, while captain Santner claimed 3/47 and Fisher picked up 2/28 as India’s batting line-up struggled to build sustained partnerships. Michael Bracewell also chipped in with one wicket.
India lost Rohit Sharma early for seven before Virat Kohli followed for five, leaving the visitors at 33/2 in 7.3 overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who had begun positively with a couple of boundaries, was dismissed by Duffy for 18 shortly after, reducing India to 34/3.
Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel then attempted to steady the innings. Iyer struck three boundaries during his 26-ball 22, while Axar played a more aggressive role and brought up 46 from 55 deliveries, including five fours and a six. Their partnership helped India recover before Iyer fell to Blair Tickner, who used the short ball effectively to induce a pull shot.
Axar was the next major wicket to fall, caught at mid-wicket off Bracewell after India reached 121/5. Ishan Kishan kept the innings moving with a 46-ball knock that included three fours and two sixes, but India continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.
Naman Dhir added 22 from 31 balls and shared a 39-run stand with Ishan before Santner broke the partnership. The New Zealand captain then struck twice more, dismissing Auqib Nabi for five and Yash Thakur for a duck as India slipped to 166/8.
Duffy returned to remove Ishan for 46 in the 41st over, leaving India nine down for 183. Arshdeep Singh provided a late burst with 14 from just four balls, including two sixes, while Mohammed Siraj remained unbeaten on 14 as India were eventually bowled out for 209.
