India defeated New Zealand by 22 runs in the fifth and final ODI at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, completing a 3-1 series win.
After being bowled out for 209, India produced an excellent bowling performance to defend the total. Arshdeep Singh picked up three wickets, while Mohammed Siraj and Axar Patel claimed two each as New Zealand were bowled out for 187 in 48.1 overs.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first. Matthew Fisher dismissed Rohit Sharma (7) and Virat Kohli (5), while Jacob Duffy removed Ruturaj Gaikwad (18) to leave India struggling at 34/3.
Shreyas Iyer scored 22 before Axar Patel and Ishan Kishan took responsibility with the bat. Both scored 46 runs, helping India recover from the early collapse. Naman Dhir added 22, but New Zealand continued to take wickets at regular intervals.
Mohammed Siraj remained unbeaten on 14, while Arshdeep Singh scored 14 off just four balls. Their 26 run partnership for the last wicket helped India reach 209 before being bowled out in 42.1 overs.
India needed early wickets to defend the target, and the bowlers delivered. Mohammed Siraj dismissed Tim Seifert for 14, while Arshdeep removed Will Young (22) and Nick Kelly (24). Siraj also bowled Finn Allen for one, leaving New Zealand at 83/4.
Dean Foxcroft scored 31 and Michael Bracewell made 19, but Auqib Nabi dismissed Bracewell before Yash Thakur claimed his maiden ODI wicket by bowling Foxcroft. Naman Dhir then dismissed Mitchell Santner for 24, while Arshdeep removed Kristian Clarke for 16.
Axar Patel took the final two wickets of Blair Tickner and Jacob Duffy to bowl New Zealand out for 187. Arshdeep finished with figures of 3/30 in 10 overs and was named Player of the Match.
India completed the series with a convincing 22 run win, but the batting unit still has work to do. The top order failures remain a concern, and the team will need more consistent contributions from its batters in upcoming series.
