India recovered swiftly from their dramatic 89 all out in the fourth ODI to defeat New Zealand by 22 runs in the series decider, sealing a 3-1 victory in the bilateral series.
Stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer, leading the team in the absence of regular captain Shubman Gill, stated the team did not dwell on their second-biggest ODI defeat as they prepared for the final match at Bay Oval on November 15. “Honestly speaking, the next day we forgot about the loss. We didn't even discuss what happened. It was one odd game; we just had to brush it under the carpet and move on,” Iyer said. at the post-match press conference.
He credited New Zealand pacer Matt Henry for his exceptional bowling in the fourth ODI, adding, “That day Matt Henry was bowling gas. He was lethal, and he was bowling with venom, so I think credit where it's due—he was phenomenal with his performance, and we just accepted our loss and we moved on.”
Iyer described the team's intensity and adaptability to varying conditions as key factors in their overall success during the tour, which also included winning the preceding T20I series. “Absolutely ecstatic, because coming overseas and winning a series is definitely a great achievement,” he commented. “So I think you reap the benefits of what you sow, and today is another example of how each and every individual in the team thinks.”
India's batting encountered challenges again in the fifth ODI, starting poorly with the early dismissals of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad, leaving the team at 34 for three. Iyer scored 22, while Ishan Kishan and Axar Patel both top-scored with 46, guiding India to a total of 209 in 42.1 overs.
New Zealand's bowlers consistently kept the Indian batsmen under pressure throughout the series. Iyer acknowledged that batting conditions were difficult for both teams. “Batting definitely didn't click for us, nor for them. But look at their bowling and our bowling—both kept bowling consistently well, and the wicket was also predominantly supportive of bowlers,” he noted.
He added, “The most important thing for us was to win the series, and we won, so after that we don't think too much about the rest. Definitely there will be takeaways; each individual will reflect on themselves, and we've also been playing for a very long time, so you also get mentally exhausted in a way the longer the series you play. So adaptability too—you know, on every wicket there is a different challenge—but keep learning, and definitely you accept the Challenge and move on.”
Regarding the upcoming ODI World Cup next year in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, Iyer downplayed any direct correlation with the recent series. “Right now we are in New Zealand, so we can't even compare it with South Africa. Nobody knows yet what will happen there — it's still a year away, and the weather there will be different — so we cannot compare this series with that,” he said.
India's bowlers produced a disciplined display to defend the target, with Arshdeep Singh taking three wickets, and Mohammed Siraj along with Axar Patel claiming two wickets apiece. New Zealand were bowled out for 187 in 48.1 overs, with Dean Foxcroft top-scoring with 31.
Iyer reflected on his experience as stand-in captain, describing the mental demands of leading through 50 overs. “I enjoyed the captaincy. I think I've captained enough now, but ODI is kind of challenging because you've got to constantly keep your mind working throughout 50 overs, and it's a bit exhausting. I experienced that in the first game, but today, there was a period where the game went slow, and it was going in rhythm. There was excitement, and then it went slow, but that's how you gauge the pace of the game, And it's a learning curve every day, so 50-50, one loss and one win, so kind of ecstatic,” he explained.
The series victory followed India's T20I triumph, marking a successful white-ball tour of New Zealand.