Bowlers deliver clutch performance as India seize ODI series with thrilling win in low-scoring encounter

Cricket fans in India were in for absolute treats on consecutive days as the Men in Blue seized a low-scoring thriller in Tauranga to win an ODI series in New Zealand after eight staggering years. Amidst all the chaos, hailing batters across every surface, it was a contest of bowlers coming together on a pacy and bouncy pitch to create a nail-biting finish to the series.

Winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bowl first. India had another shaky start to the game, losing their top three in quick succession. Rohit Sharma (7), Ruturaj Gaikwad (18) and Virat Kohli (5) were back to the pavilion, reducing India to 34/3.

Shreyas Iyer (22) and Axar Patel (46) stitched a decent stand, adding 52 runs for the fourth wicket. Blair Tickner, back from an injury, removed the Indian skipper. However, India had another strong stand brewing as Patel continued his wary charge alongside an incoming Ishan Kishan (46). The two added 35 runs for the fifth wicket before Axar’s resilient knock came to an end at the hands of Michael Bracewell.

Ishan Kishan looked in control for the majority of the innings while Naman Dhir (22) looked good for his instrumental cameo, allowing India to get a few crucial runs in the middle. India had another breakdown in the lower middle-order, losing the likes of Dhir, Auqib Nabi (5) and Yash Thakur (0) in a span of just six runs.

However, the Men in Blue had an enduring finish to the innings, courtesy of Ishan Kishan who held fort until the penultimate partnership before Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh came up with some late fireworks, propelling India to 209. Siraj stayed unbeaten for 14 while Arshdeep got out for 14 as well but he hammered them off just four balls. Jacob Duffy and Mitchell Santner claimed three wickets each while Matthew Fisher had a brace for himself.

New Zealand, well aware of the tricky nature of the surface, had a watchful start to the chase. Will Young (22) and Tim Seifert (14) added 26 runs for the opening stand before Mohammed Siraj could get hold of the latter. An incoming Nick Kelly (24) looked in good control, knitting together another crucial partnership of 38 runs for the second wicket with Young.

Arshdeep Singh forced his way through the partnership, removing Young, sending another jolt through New Zealand’s chasing aspirations. Matters complicated further for the Kiwis when Arshdeep doubled his tally, removing Kelly followed by Mohammed Siraj who rammed through the defences of Finn Allen (1).

Michael Bracewell (19) steadied the ship momentarily with Foxcroft before India found lifeline again as India struck twice to get hold of both. Auqib Nabi got rid of Bracewell while Yash Thakur got hold of Foxcroft, reducing New Zealand to 119/6.

Their captain, Mitchell Santner (24) walked in and joined forces with Kristan Clarke (16) to get in another overhaul for the hosts. Despite the partnership brewing, it was the scoring rate that insidiously kept on going up and India managed to find a way.

Naman Dhir got hold of Santner and Arshdeep Singh struck to remove Kristian Clarke, pushing New Zealand to the cusp of a historic double series win in New Zealand. The fall of Clarke and Santner took the sting of New Zealand’s belief. Blair Tickner (14), Jacob Duffy (9) and Matthew Fisher (3) did try and push their way but India’s bowlers kept their feet pressed on the pedal.

It was Axar Patel who came up clutch, dealing a double whammy to snuff out all hopes for New Zealand as they were bundled out for 187. India secured a thrilling 22-run win, bagging the ODI series 3-1.

Arshdeep Singh claimed three wickets while Axar Patel registered a brace to get India the all-important finish. Arshdeep bagged the Player of the Match award for his all-round performance while Gurnoor Brar bagged the Player of the Series award.