India defeated New Zealand by 22 runs in the fifth ODI to win the series 3-1. With this victory, the Kiwi team's record of remaining unbeaten for 11 consecutive ODI series at home was also broken.
New Zealand: The Indian cricket team registered a spectacular victory in the fifth ODI against New Zealand on Sunday, 15 November 2026. Under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, India bowled out the host team for 187 runs despite scoring only 209 runs. With this victory, India won the five-match ODI series 3-1. The special thing is that New Zealand had not lost any bilateral ODI series at home in the last seven years. The performance of five players was special in India's victory.
How did India win the match even after scoring 209 runs?
Indian batsmen could not score big in the last ODI played at Bay Oval ground. New Zealand's bowlers maintained pressure from the beginning. Even experienced batsmen like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could not play big innings.
The entire Indian team was out after scoring 209 runs in 42.1 overs. New Zealand had a target of 210 runs. Chasing this score on home ground was considered easy for the Kiwi team.
But Indian fast bowlers changed the course of the match right from the beginning. New Zealand's batsmen kept losing wickets continuously and the entire team was reduced to 187 runs in 48.1 overs.
Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Siraj, Akshar Patel, Naman Dheer and Ishan Kishan had important contributions in India's 22-run victory.
Arshdeep Singh did wonders with ball and bat
The biggest hero of India's victory was Arshdeep Singh. Batting in difficult times, he scored 14 runs in just four balls. His short but sharp innings gave India some much needed runs in the last overs.
After this, in bowling, Arshdeep did not give New Zealand batsmen a chance to play freely. He took three wickets for just 30 runs in his 10 overs.
Arshdeep dismissed Will Young, Nick Kelly and Christian Clarke. Due to his accurate bowling, the New Zealand team kept moving away from the target.
He was adjudged Player of the Match for his excellent all-round performance.
Mohammad Siraj sent the initial batsmen to the pavilion
Indian fast bowler Mohammad Siraj also played an important role in increasing the troubles of New Zealand.
Siraj initially dismissed wicketkeeper batsman Tim Seifert for 14 runs. After this, he sent dangerous batsman Finn Allen to the pavilion for just one run.
Siraj took two wickets for 50 runs in his 10 overs. Due to their continuous pressure, New Zealand's batsmen could not score fast runs.
The pair of Arshdeep and Siraj kept the Indian team in the match at a time when New Zealand did not need a big score to win.
Akshar Patel first took charge with the bat, then finished the match
Akshar Patel played the responsibility of all-rounder well in this match. When India's wickets were falling continuously, Akshar batted cautiously.
He scored 46 runs in 55 balls. His innings played an important role in taking India beyond 200 runs.
Even in bowling, Akshar took wickets at the right time. He ensured India's victory by dismissing New Zealand's last two batsmen, Jacob Duffy and Blair Tickner.
Akshar took two wickets for 28 runs in 6.1 overs.
Naman Dhir turned the match by dismissing Mitchell Santner
Young all-rounder Naman Dhir contributed 22 runs in batting. However, his most important role was seen during bowling.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner was batting at one end. He had scored 24 runs in 31 balls and was trying to take the team to the target.
Meanwhile, Naman Dheer got him caught by Arshdeep Singh and sent him to the pavilion.
New Zealand's hopes of a comeback were weakened after the fall of Santner's wicket. After this, the Indian bowlers did not allow the remaining batsmen to last long.
Ishan Kishan's innings of 46 runs helped India
Indian wicketkeeper batsman Ishan Kishan also contributed significantly to the team's victory.
When the opening batsmen were out early, Ishan scored 46 runs in 58 balls. He hit three fours and two sixes in his innings.
With the contribution of him and Akshar Patel, the Indian team could reach a respectable score.
Ishaan also played his responsibility in wicketkeeping. As the last wicket, he got Blair Tickner stumped off the ball of Akshar Patel.
New Zealand's seven year old record broken
India's victory also changed New Zealand's home record. The Kiwi team had remained unbeaten in 11 consecutive bilateral ODI series at home since 2019.
Interestingly, in 2019 also, India had defeated New Zealand in the ODI series on its home ground. Now after seven years, the Indian team has again achieved this feat.
On this tour, India won the first five-match T20 series 3-2. After this the ODI series was also won.
Now a two-match Test series will be played between the two teams, the first match of which will start from November 19.