Team India defeated New Zealand in the fifth and deciding ODI and won the series 3-1. New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl first at Mount Maunganui. Batting first, the Indian team was all out for 209 runs in 42.1 overs. Chasing the target of 210 runs, the New Zealand team was limited to 187 runs in 48.1 overs. This is Team India's ODI series victory on New Zealand soil after 7 years. Earlier in the year 2019, India had won the series 4-1. After the match, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner cited the biggest reason for his team's defeat.
Santner said that if his batsmen had lasted a little longer, his team could have won. Santner said in the presentation ceremony after the match, “They (India) bowled very well tonight. All four of their fast bowlers bowled brilliantly. Shreyas rotated them very well. Obviously, they kept Akshar in check, because the fast bowlers were in very good form. They also kept taking wickets continuously in the middle overs. If we could have prolonged each partnership a little longer, we would have won the match, but there were times when it was difficult to bat. He put Arshdeep and Siraj back on the bowling at the right time. Overall it was a great bowling performance.”
He further said, “I was quite happy at the half-way stage. The pitch probably didn't have as much support as we thought. Our players adapted well to the conditions. The pitch was a bit slow, and the way the 'Beast' (Michael Bracewell) bowled in the middle overs was fantastic. We kept taking wickets. I was quite happy with the score of 209 runs. If you look at the scoreline of 3-1, So the fight was much closer than that.”
Santner further said, “Today and in the last match too, if we could have taken the game a little further. In 50-over cricket, especially while batting, we have a lot of time. Apart from this, it was a good experience to get opportunities for different players. The players also took the responsibility, which is a good thing.”