Series On The Line: India Seek Batting Revival In New Zealand Decider

Indian batters will be determined to put up a much-improved performance against the seaming ball with the series at stake in the fifth and final ODI against New Zealand on Sunday. India lead the series 2-1 despite suffering their second-heaviest ODI defeat in New Zealand on Friday. The Indian batting line-up struggled badly in seaming conditions, with Matt Henry effectively deciding the game in his opening spell by striking three times. India will need to improve significantly on pace-friendly surfaces, especially with similar conditions expected during the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. Considering the collective batting failure, it would be unfair to single out one individual. Having said that, Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer, who endured a forgettable captaincy debut, are yet to make a significant impact in the five-match series.

While Henry squared up Rohit with a superb delivery, Iyer was trapped in the crease by a sharp incoming ball.

For one-format players Rohit and Virat Kohli, Sunday presents another opportunity to delight the crowd on what could be their final tour of New Zealand. Kohli, too, had no answer to Henry's brilliance on Friday.

India's collapse to 89 all out in 26.4 overs while chasing 334 did not go down well with head coach Gautam Gambhir.

"These are conditions that are going to be the closest to what we might get during the World Cup. The bigger concern is not the runs. It's how quickly we got bundled out, around 26 or 27 overs. That is something which is always a concern," Gambhir said.

Captain Iyer pointed out that conditions changed significantly in favour of the bowlers during the second innings, but there was a noticeable contrast between the performances of the two pace attacks in the powerplay.

While New Zealand reduced India to 9/4 in the sixth over, the Indian pacers were unable to make similar inroads with the new ball. Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi picked up two wickets each but were also expensive.

Playing his first match of the series, Kuldeep Yadav came under heavy attack from Will Young. Having had limited opportunities on the tour, the left-arm wrist-spinner will be eager to make an impact if he retains his place for the series decider.

Released from the Test squad, Kuldeep would be keen to leave New Zealand with a noteworthy performance.

New Zealand, meanwhile, find themselves in another must-win situation as they attempt to level the series.

Opener Tim Seifert appears to have revived his form with a half-century in the fourth ODI, while Young capitalised on two dropped chances to score a superb century.

India's pacers will need early breakthroughs and must prevent the New Zealand openers from taking control of the game during the first 10 overs.

It remains to be seen whether uncapped pacer Brett Randell is handed an opportunity at Bay Oval.

New Zealand have not lost an ODI series at home in seven years and will have plenty of motivation against a wounded, yet formidable, Indian side.

Squads (from)

India: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wk, vice-captain), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav.

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay (wk), Nick Kelly, Brett Randell, Tim Seifert (wk), Blair Tickner, Will Young.

Match starts: 7:30 AM IST.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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