Mount Maunganui: The Indian team defended a low score in the fifth and last ODI against New Zealand and won by 22 runs. In the match played at Bay Oval, India’s batting once again faltered and the entire team was out after scoring 209 runs in 42.1 overs. In reply, New Zealand team could score only 187 runs in 48.1 overs. The Indian bowlers kept the host team tied till the last overs and won the match by taking wickets at regular intervals. With this victory, India won the five-match ODI series 3-1. Arshdeep Singh played an important role in the victory by taking three wickets.
Did Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli fail again?
The start of the Indian innings was not as expected. New Zealand fast bowler Matthew Fisher sent Rohit Sharma to the pavilion for seven runs. After this, even Virat Kohli could not stay at the crease for long. He became Fisher’s second victim after scoring five runs in seven balls. Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 18 runs in 27 balls, but Jacob Duffy ended his innings. India’s three leading batsmen were out on the score of just 34 runs. After this captain Shreyas Iyer and Akshar Patel tried to handle the innings.
Who saved the Indian innings from disintegration?
There was a partnership of 52 runs for the fourth wicket between Shreyas Iyer and Akshar Patel. Iyer was out after scoring 22 runs, while Akshar scored 46 runs in 55 balls. He hit five fours and one six in his innings. After this, Ishan Kishan also tried to take control of the team by scoring 46 runs in 58 balls. Naman Dheer contributed 22 runs. However, the middle-order and lower-order batsmen were not able to form long partnerships. In the last overs, Mohammad Siraj and Arshdeep Singh scored 14 runs each and took the team beyond 200. For New Zealand, Jacob Duffy and Mitchell Santner took three wickets each.
A series victory to savour 🥳 #TeamIndia clinch a thriller at the Bay Oval to take the #NZvIND ODI series 3️⃣-1️⃣ 👏 Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/wqxhoXb2WC https://t.co/aAwPMyBykt
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 15, 2026
Where did New Zealand’s batsmen go wrong?
Chasing the target of 210 runs, the New Zealand team started cautiously, but the Indian bowlers gave less chances to score runs. Tim Seifert was out after scoring 14 runs on the ball of Mohammad Siraj. Will Young scored 22 runs in 42 balls, while Nick Kelly added 24 runs in 45 balls. Dean Foxcroft struggled by scoring 31 runs in 42 balls, but Yash Thakur sent him to the pavilion. Finn Allen could also score only one run. After this Michael Bracewell was out after scoring 19 runs. By the time they reached 119 runs, half of the New Zealand team had returned to the pavilion.
How did the match turn in the last overs?
Captain Mitchell Santner tried to handle the team by scoring 24 runs in 31 balls. He added 39 runs for the seventh wicket with Christian Clarke, but Naman Dheer broke the partnership by dismissing Santner. Clarke scored 16 runs in 35 balls, while Blair Tickner contributed 14 runs. Arshdeep Singh gave a blow to New Zealand’s hopes by dismissing Clarke. After this, Akshar Patel completed the remaining work by sending Jacob Duffy and Tickner to the pavilion. Arshdeep took three wickets for 30 runs. Siraj took two wickets, while Akshar Patel also took two wickets. The entire New Zealand team was reduced to 187 runs.
What was special for India in the series?
The Indian team won the five-match ODI series 3-1. The batting certainly disappointed in the last match, but the bowlers led the team to victory in difficult circumstances. Axar Patel and Ishan Kishan’s 46-46 runs and the bowling of Arshdeep and Siraj were important aspects of this match. On the other hand, the dismissal of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli on low scores remained a matter of concern for the Indian team. Despite batting faltering for the second consecutive match, India ended the series with a win by winning the last match.
