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India clinch ODI series after Blackcaps collapse
Reuters • November 15th, 2026 11:35 pm
India have won their ODI series in New Zealand, taking game five by 22 runs | Photo: AP
India have pulled off a remarkable escape to seal their ODI series in New Zealand, with Arshdeep Singh leading a pace-led fightback to secure a thrilling 22-run win in the last game of five.
Defending a modest 209 in Tauranga on Sunday, India looked destined for defeat and a 2-2 drawn series as New Zealand cruised to 64-1 before the visitors' quicks sparked a dramatic collapse.
The hosts lost 55-5 before crashing out for 187 in 48.1 overs as India won the series 3-1, with game three abandoned due to rain.
Put in to bat, India made a cautious start, mindful of their crushing 244-run defeat in the previous ODI.
Axar Patel had the equal top score for India, making 46 off 55 balls | Photo: AP
But their approach unravelled as New Zealand's bowlers ripped through the top order before Axar Patel and Ishan Kishan helped the visitors recover to make 209 in 42.1 overs.
New Zealand openers Will Young and Nick Kelly capitalised on the platform laid by their bowlers and looked on course for a comfortable chase before India's bowlers breathed life into the contest in the middle overs.
Yash Thakur built pressure with a disciplined spell, while Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep struck at regular intervals as the hosts slumped from 64-1 to 119-6.
Dean Foxcroft top-scored with 31 off 42 balls and attempted to steady the innings as wickets tumbled around him, but Yash removed him to claim his maiden ODI wicket.
Captain Mitchell Santner's 24 off 31 balls offered resistance, but India's bowlers continued to chip away and eventually wrapped up the tail to complete a memorable victory.
Arshdeep Singh helped India to the win by taking 3-30 from 10 economical overs | Photo: AP
Arshdeep finished with 3-30 off 10 overs, while Siraj and spinner Patel picked up two wickets apiece and the remaining bowlers claimed one each.
Earlier, New Zealand's attack kept India on the back foot throughout, with fast bowler Matthew Fisher striking early to remove veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Patel, who survived two chances, stitched together a 52-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer (22) before combining with Kishan in a bid to rebuild the innings.
Patel and Kishan scored 46 apiece, while Naman Dhir contributed a late 22 before Jacob Duffy and Santner wrapped up the tail.
Santner (3-47) and Duffy (3-60) claimed three wickets each, while Fisher finished with two.
