India defeat New Zealand by 22 runs, secure ODI series win in thriller finale

PTC News Desk: Indian fast bowlers Mohammad Siraj and Arshdeep Singh delivered impressive performances to help India defeat New Zealand by 22 runs in the fifth and final ODI on Sunday. Despite a poor batting performance, India managed to defend their total and clinch the series 3-1.

Led by Shreyas Iyer, India successfully completed the white-ball leg of their New Zealand tour after winning the earlier T20I series 3-2. The defeat also ended New Zealand's run of 11 consecutive series victories on home soil.

The victory will also provide some relief to Shreyas Iyer, who struggled with the bat throughout the white-ball series, scoring only one half-century in nine innings.

Siraj and Arshdeep lead India's attack

Chasing a target of 210 runs, New Zealand struggled against India's disciplined bowling attack and were bowled out for 187.

Arshdeep Singh took three wickets for 30 runs, while Mohammad Siraj picked up two wickets for 50 runs.

New Zealand openers Tim Seifert and Will Young failed to give their team a strong start. Seifert was caught by debutant Yash Thakur off Siraj's bowling while trying to play an attacking shot during the powerplay.

Young also failed to settle at the crease and was dismissed after attempting a pull shot against Arshdeep. Ruturaj Gaikwad took the catch.

New Zealand continued losing wickets without building a strong partnership. Arshdeep dismissed Nick Kelly, while Siraj bowled Finn Allen with an excellent delivery that hit the top of the off stump.

New Zealand were struggling at 83 for four in the 22nd over.

Dean Foxcroft and Michael Bracewell tried to rebuild the innings with a 38-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, India soon dismissed both batters within two overs, reducing New Zealand to 119 for six.

Captain Mitchell Santner and Kristian Clarke added 39 runs for the seventh wicket, giving New Zealand some hope. Santner also hit sixes against Axar Patel and Naman Dhir.

However, Dhir eventually dismissed Santner after his slog sweep was caught by Arshdeep in the deep. New Zealand's chances of winning faded further after his departure.

India's batting struggles

Earlier, India also struggled with the bat and failed to build strong partnerships.

After being bowled out for just 89 runs in the previous ODI at the same venue, India were expected to put up a better performance.

However, opener Rohit Sharma was dismissed early by Matthew Fisher after mistiming a shot that was caught by Foxcroft.

Virat Kohli also departed soon after when his cut shot off a wide delivery was caught by wicketkeeper Tim Seifert.

Ruturaj Gaikwad was the third Indian batter to fall after edging Jacob Duffy's delivery to the wicketkeeper.

India were reduced to 34 for three, and the situation could have become worse when Foxcroft dropped a catch offered by Axar Patel.

Shreyas Iyer and Axar then added 52 runs for the fourth wicket to bring some stability to the innings. However, Blair Tickner dismissed Shreyas with another short-pitched delivery.

Axar Patel, who scored 46 runs, was dismissed soon afterwards when his pull shot went straight to Will Young.

Ishan Kishan and Naman Dhir tried to rebuild the innings with a 39-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Kishan scored 46 runs, including two sixes off Duffy in one over, while Dhir contributed 22 runs.

However, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner broke the partnership by dismissing Dhir. Kishan was later dismissed by Duffy while trying to increase the scoring rate.

India were in danger of failing to cross the 200-run mark, but some powerful late shots from Arshdeep Singh and Siraj helped the team reach 209 before being bowled out.

India's bowlers then delivered a strong performance to defend the total and secure the series victory.