MOUNT MAUNGANUI: India produced a sharp response at Bay Oval on Sunday, defending a modest 209 to defeat New Zealand by 22 runs in the fifth ODI and take the five-match series 3-1. The victory came only two days after the same surface had witnessed India’s collapse for 89 and a heavy 244-run defeat, making the turnaround as striking as the result itself.
New Zealand were bowled out for 187 in the 49th over as India’s seam attack kept the chase under control through the central phase of the innings. The pitch, which had offered difficult batting conditions earlier in the series, became increasingly demanding under the lights. India’s bowlers used that change effectively, restricting the home side to just above three runs an over for a substantial stretch.
Early wickets leave hosts under pressure
New Zealand began the pursuit with Will Young making 22 and Nick Kelly contributing 24, but neither could build the platform required for a successful chase. Arshdeep Singh removed both openers before returning later to dismiss Kristian Clarke, who scored 16 and was New Zealand’s final recognised batter.
South Africa-born Dean Foxcroft top-scored for New Zealand with 31 from 42 balls, though his effort ended when debutant Yash Thakur claimed his maiden ODI wicket. Mark Bracewell made 19, while captain Mitchell Santner scored 24 as the lower order attempted to raise the scoring rate. Santner, batting with an injured hand, was dismissed with New Zealand’s prospects already fading; he is scheduled to undergo X-rays on Monday.
| Match detail | India | New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 209 all out | 187 all out |
| Result | India won by 22 runs | |
| Series outcome | India won 3-1 |
Patel and Kishan repair India’s innings
India’s own innings had looked unlikely to produce a winning total after Rohit Sharma fell for seven and Virat Kohli was dismissed for five. The two senior batters, referred to together as “RoKo”, had also departed cheaply in the first over of the previous match at the venue. Both were out again before India could establish momentum, and the visitors were eventually dismissed in 42.1 overs.
Axar Patel and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan then provided the innings with its most important partnership of substance, each making 46. Their contributions lifted India from a precarious position and carried the total to a level from which the bowlers could apply pressure. Although 209 appeared limited at the interval, the conditions and India’s disciplined execution made it a defendable score.
Iyer praises response to changing conditions
India captain Shreyas Iyer operated his four seamers in rotation until the 36th over, denying New Zealand the acceleration needed in the middle overs. The bowling group maintained its lines and prevented the chase from gathering pace, leaving the hosts increasingly dependent on late hitting that never arrived.
“Although we didn't get as many runs as we wanted, we still believed we could change the game at any point. I'm glad that each individual thought in the same direction.”
Iyer said the team had faced shifting weather and conditions across both the ODI and T20I assignments. He described finishing on top as a significant achievement after the challenges of the tour. India had already won the T20 series 3-2, and the ODI success gives the visitors a second series victory on the trip.
- India defended 209 after being dismissed in 42.1 overs.
- New Zealand were bowled out for 187 in the 49th over.
- Arshdeep Singh took the early wickets of Young and Kelly and later removed Clarke.
The result also underlined the value of India’s collective response. After the collapse at Bay Oval had placed the batting under scrutiny, Patel and Kishan supplied the recovery with the bat, while the seamers ensured that New Zealand could not translate its chase into sustained pressure. The 22-run margin completed a series in which India recovered from its heaviest setback at the venue to leave with a clear 3-1 ODI triumph.
