India concluded their white-ball tour of New Zealand with a victory in the fifth ODI, securing the series 3-1. Defending a modest total of 209 at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday, the Indian bowlers restricted New Zealand to 187 all out in 49 overs to win by 22 runs.
India captain Shreyas Iyer described the series as one dominated by bowlers rather than batters, noting that both teams struggled against the conditions. During the post-match presentation, Iyer highlighted the team's ability to adapt to changing weather and difficult surfaces, which he said made the triumph a significant achievement.
The victory followed a heavy defeat in the fourth ODI, where the team was bowled out for 89. Iyer noted that the side chose to put that performance behind them quickly rather than dwelling on the loss. Regarding the bowling strategy in the deciding match, the captain explained that he relied on his seamers to maintain pressure in partnerships, allowing wickets to fall at regular intervals.
Arshdeep Singh led the Indian bowling attack with figures of 3 for 30. Iyer praised his team’s collective belief and ability to gauge the pace of the game, even when progress seemed slow. Looking ahead to the upcoming tour of South Africa, the captain noted that while conditions would change again, the primary goal of winning the series in New Zealand had been successfully met.
Key facts
- India won the final ODI by 22 runs, successfully defending a total of 209.
- The tourists won the five-match ODI series with a 3-1 result.
- Arshdeep Singh was the standout performer for India with three wickets for 30 runs.
- New Zealand were bowled out for 187 in 49 overs during the fifth ODI.
- India previously won the T20I series against New Zealand during the same tour.
Why it matters
The series victory serves as a positive result for the team following a challenging period of travel and fluctuating weather conditions. By overcoming a significant loss in the fourth match, the squad demonstrated resilience, which the captain emphasized as a key factor in their success.
Background
During the fourth ODI, Indian batters faced particular difficulty against New Zealand bowler Matt Henry, who Iyer described as having been particularly lethal during that encounter.
Source: Hindustan Times, Times of India
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