India Beat New Zealand by 22 Runs to Seal ODI Series as Pacers Lead the Way

India defeated New Zealand by 22 runs in the fifth and final ODI at Bay Oval on Sunday, securing their third ODI series win in the country. After being bowled out for 209, India's bowlers restricted the hosts to 187 in 48.1 overs in a low-scoring contest.

Arshdeep Singh led the attack with three wickets, while Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel claimed two each. Auqib Nabi, Yash Thakur and Naman Dhir also took a wicket apiece.

Dean Foxcroft top-scored for New Zealand with 31, but the hosts struggled to build partnerships as India's bowlers kept taking wickets at regular intervals.

INDIA STRUGGLE AFTER EARLY WICKETS

Put in to bat, India lost Rohit Sharma for seven and Virat Kohli for five inside the first eight overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who made 18, followed soon after, leaving the visitors at 34 for three.

Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel attempted to rebuild the innings. Iyer scored 22 off 26 balls before falling to Blair Tickner, while Axar made 46 off 55 deliveries, hitting five fours and a six.

Ishan Kishan also scored 46, facing 58 balls and striking three fours and two sixes. His contribution helped India recover from the early setbacks, but New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner broke another partnership by dismissing Naman Dhir for 31 off 22 balls.

Santner then removed Auqib Nabi and Yash Thakur in quick succession to leave India struggling at 166 for eight. Jacob Duffy dismissed Kishan for 46 as India slipped to 183 for nine.

Arshdeep Singh added a late burst with 14 runs off four balls, including two sixes, while Mohammed Siraj remained unbeaten on 14. Their effort took India to 209 in 42.1 overs.

Duffy was New Zealand's leading wicket-taker with three for 60. Santner also claimed three wickets, while Matthew Fisher took two.

ARSHDEEP LEADS INDIA'S DEFENCE

Chasing 210, New Zealand began cautiously before Siraj dismissed opener Tim Seifert for 14. Will Young made 22 before Arshdeep sent him back, leaving the hosts at 64 for two.

Arshdeep then struck twice in quick succession, removing Nick Kelly for 22 and Finn Allen for one. New Zealand were reduced to 83 for four, with the required run rate beginning to climb.

Foxcroft and Michael Bracewell tried to steady the innings, but Auqib Nabi and Yash Thakur took two wickets in quick succession. Bracewell departed for 19, while Foxcroft was dismissed for 31, leaving New Zealand at 119 for six.

AXAR, NAMAN AND ARSHDEEP FINISH THE JOB

Santner and Kristian Clarke attempted to keep New Zealand in the contest, but Naman Dhir dismissed the New Zealand captain for 24. Arshdeep then removed Clarke for 16, claiming his third wicket of the innings.

Axar Patel dismissed Jacob Duffy for nine, leaving New Zealand nine wickets down. Axar took the final wicket by dismissing Blair Tickner for 14, ending the hosts' innings at 187 in 48.1 overs.

Arshdeep finished with three for 30, while Axar and Siraj took two wickets each. Nabi, Thakur and Dhir chipped in with one wicket apiece.

The win marked India's third ODI series victory in New Zealand, following their successes in 2009 and the 2018-19 season.

With inputs from ANI