India Clinches ODI Series 3-1 Against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui Thriller
India's pace attack spearheaded a dramatic recovery in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, November 15, securing a 22-run victory over New Zealand in the fifth and final One Day International. This crucial win sealed the series 3-1 for the visitors, successfully concluding their white-ball tour of New Zealand after an earlier 3-2 T20I series triumph.
The tourists, coming off a low score in the previous ODI, themselves struggled initially. After being put in to bat, India's top order faltered, managing a total of 209 before being bowled out. Openers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli fell early to Matthew Fisher, while Ruturaj Gaikwad also departed quickly, courtesy of Jacob Duffy, as India failed to build a substantial opening stand.
Chasing a modest target of 210, New Zealand's usually fluent openers, Tim Seifert and Will Young, found themselves under immense pressure. Indian pacers Mohammad Siraj (2/50) and Arshdeep Singh (3/30) delivered disciplined spells, exploiting the inherent bounce and movement under lights. Siraj removed Seifert early, caught by debutant Yash Thakur, while Arshdeep accounted for Young. The duo continued to damage the top order, with Arshdeep adding Nick Kelly's scalp and Siraj dismissing the dangerous Finn Allen, reducing the hosts to 83 for four by the 22nd over.
Despite brief resistance from Dean Foxcroft and Michael Bracewell, who put on 38 for the fifth wicket, India consistently pegged back the Black Caps. Captain Mitchell Santner and Kristian Clarke then forged the innings' largest stand, adding 39 runs for the seventh wicket, with Santner hitting sixes off Axar Patel and Naman Dhir. However, Dhir had the last word, dismissing Santner, whose slog sweep found Arshdeep in the deep. New Zealand ultimately succumbed for 187, bringing an end to their impressive streak of 11 consecutive series victories on home soil. The series triumph also offered a much-needed reprieve for captain Shreyas Iyer, who had endured a challenging tour with the bat.
Image: siasat.com
📰 Source: Siasat Gulf
