Mount Maunganui, November 15 (HS): A superb performance by India’s bowlers, particularly the pace attack, helped the visitors defeat New Zealand by 22 runs in the fifth and decisive One-Day International on Sunday, sealing the five-match series 3-1. In a low-scoring thriller at Bay Oval, India were bowled out for 209 in 42.1 overs before dismissing New Zealand for 187 in 48.1 overs.

With this victory, India secured their third ODI series triumph on New Zealand soil. They had previously won bilateral ODI series in the country in 2009 and 2018-19.

Arshdeep Singh spearheaded India’s bowling effort, claiming three wickets for 30 runs. Axar Patel picked up two wickets for 28 runs, while Mohammed Siraj also took two, conceding 50 runs. Auqib Nabi, Yash Thakur and Naman Dhir claimed one wicket apiece.

For New Zealand, Dean Foxcroft was the top scorer with 31 runs. Arshdeep was named Player of the Match for his outstanding contribution, while Gurnoor Brar received the Player of the Series award after finishing with nine wickets.

Chasing a target of 210, New Zealand made a cautious start, with Tim Seifert and Will Young negotiating the opening overs carefully. However, Mohammed Siraj struck in the sixth over, dismissing Seifert for 14 after he was caught by Yash Thakur. The hosts lost their first wicket at 26.

Will Young and Nick Kelly then attempted to steady the innings. Young made 22 off 42 balls before giving a catch to Ruturaj Gaikwad off Arshdeep Singh, leaving New Zealand at 64 for two. Kelly and Foxcroft tried to rebuild, but Arshdeep dismissed Kelly for 24 and Siraj removed Finn Allen for one in quick succession, reducing the hosts to 83 for four.

Foxcroft and Michael Bracewell offered some resistance, taking the score to 119. Auqib Nabi broke their partnership by dismissing Bracewell for 19, while Yash Thakur sent Foxcroft back to the pavilion for 31. New Zealand were left struggling at 119 for six.

Captain Mitchell Santner and Kristian Clarke attempted to revive the chase, putting together a 39-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Naman Dhir ended the stand by dismissing Santner for 24. Arshdeep then claimed his third wicket, removing Clarke for 16.

Axar Patel struck twice towards the end, first having Jacob Duffy caught by Virat Kohli for nine and then dismissing Blair Tickner for 14 through a stumping by wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan. New Zealand were bowled out for 187 in 48.1 overs, falling 22 runs short of the target.

India’s batting falters again

Earlier, after being put in to bat, India endured another difficult start. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli once again failed to make substantial contributions. Rohit was caught by Dean Foxcroft off Jacob Duffy for seven, while Kohli departed for five after being caught behind by wicketkeeper Tim Seifert off Matthew Fisher. India were reduced to 33 for two.

Duffy struck again in the following over, dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad for 18, with Seifert taking the catch. India had lost three wickets for 34 runs.

Axar Patel and captain Shreyas Iyer then attempted to stabilise the innings, adding 52 runs for the fourth wicket. Iyer scored 22 off 26 balls, including three boundaries, before being caught by Matthew Fisher off Blair Tickner while attempting a pull shot. India’s fourth wicket fell at 86.

Axar continued the recovery alongside Ishan Kishan. The pair looked to build a substantial partnership, but Michael Bracewell dismissed Axar for 46 off 55 balls, with Will Young taking the catch. Axar’s innings included five fours and a six, and India lost their fifth wicket at 121.

Ishan and Naman Dhir then added 39 runs for the sixth wicket. Naman scored 22 off 31 balls before being caught by Nick Kelly off Mitchell Santner. Santner followed up by dismissing Auqib Nabi for five and Yash Thakur for a duck, leaving India reeling at 166 for eight.

Ishan Kishan top-scored for India with 46 off 58 balls, including three fours and two sixes. He was dismissed by Duffy, with Fisher taking the catch, as India slipped to 183 for nine.

Arshdeep Singh then provided a late boost, smashing two sixes in a four-ball 14. Mohammed Siraj remained unbeaten on 14 off 20 deliveries. Their late contribution helped India cross the 200-run mark before the innings ended at 209 in 42.1 overs.

For New Zealand, Jacob Duffy and Mitchell Santner claimed three wickets each. Duffy conceded 60 runs in 8.1 overs, while Santner gave away 47 runs in his 10 overs. Matthew Fisher took two wickets for 28 runs, and Blair Tickner and Michael Bracewell claimed one wicket apiece.

First away ODI series victory for Gambhir

The win also gave India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir his first ODI series triumph on foreign soil. New Zealand had ended India’s remarkable 12-year, 18-series unbeaten run in home Test series in 2024. India have now returned the favour by bringing an end to New Zealand’s seven-year run of 11 consecutive bilateral ODI series victories at home.

Notably, India were also the last team to defeat New Zealand in a home ODI series, having beaten them in 2019. The latest result marks another significant away-series achievement for the Indian side.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar