New Delhi: The last match of the five-match ODI series between India and New Zealand was very exciting. In the decisive match played at Bay Oval on Sunday, Team India won by 22 runs and won the series 3-1. With this victory, India also broke New Zealand's streak of 11 consecutive ODI series wins at home.
Team India faltered in batting first
In the match, New Zealand won the toss and decided to bowl first, which proved to be correct in the beginning. The Indian top order was a complete flop. Rohit Sharma returned to the pavilion early after scoring 7 runs, Virat Kohli 5 runs and Rituraj Gaikwad 18 runs. The team was looking in trouble after 3 wickets fell for 34 runs. After this, captain Shreyas Iyer and Akshar Patel took over the innings. There was a partnership of 52 runs between the two. Shreyas was out after scoring 22 runs, while Akshar played a fighting inning of 46 runs in 55 balls.
Ishan Kishan gave a respectable lead
Ishan Kishan took charge in the middle order. He scored 46 runs on 58 balls. However, wickets kept falling from the other end. Naman Dheer, Aaqib Nabi and Yash Thakur were out cheaply. At one time India's score was 8 wickets for 166 runs. In the end, Arshdeep Singh scored 14 runs and Mohammad Siraj scored 14 not out, taking the team to 209 runs. The entire team was all out in 42.1 overs. Mitchell Santner and Jacob Duffy took 3-3 wickets for New Zealand.
Pacers turned the match, broke the back of Kiwis
New Zealand, which set out to chase the target of 210 runs, also had a bad start. Tim Seifert was dismissed by Mohammad Siraj for 14 runs. After this, Will Young and Nick Kelly struggled a bit, but Arshdeep Singh let both of them go. New Zealand's middle order also disintegrated under pressure. Finn Allen was out after scoring 1 run, Michael Bracewell after scoring 19 runs and Dean Foxcroft after scoring 31 runs. Dean's wicket was the first wicket for Yash Thakur on debut.
Arshdeep became the hero, India won the series
Mitchell Santner gave hope by scoring 24 runs in the last overs, but Naman Dheer dismissed him and ensured India's victory. The entire New Zealand team was all out for 187 runs in 48.1 overs. Arshdeep took maximum 3 wickets for India, while Siraj and Akshar got 2-2 wickets. With this win India won the series