New Zealand stand on the precipice of making history, with the chance of claiming their first ODI series win in India. It’s sudden death as the series heads to Visakhapatnam for the 5th and final match. Join The Roar for live scores from 7pm (AEDT)
After a comprehensive thrashing in the Test series that preceded the ODIs, few would have predicted a Kiwi resurgence in the shorter format of the game.
But after a tactically sound performance in Ranchi saw the Black Caps square the ledger at 2-2, New Zealand are on the verge of causing an upset against their heavily favoured counterparts.
In an odd series both teams have managed wins despite obvious deficiencies.
In their two victories in Delhi and Ranchi – coincidentally the home towns of both the Indian Vice-Captain and Captain respectively – New Zealand’s middle order failed to fully capitalize on strong platforms laid by the top order.
In Delhi the visitors were a 158-2 in the 31st over before stumbling to a score of 242.
In Ranchi an even stronger position of 184-2 in the 36th over would ultimately manifest into a par score of 260.
In an age where modern teams are expected to double their scores in the last 20 overs, the Black Caps cannot expect to keep winning without a better batting performance.
Instead the Kiwis have relied on competent bowling, good work in the field and an astute understanding of the pitch conditions to get them to victory.
Likewise, India in their two victories have relied on a familiar script to mask over their own weaknesses.
Consistent and at times brilliant spin bowling coupled with some Virat Kohli batting heroics has been a formula for victory that India call upon far too often in limited overs cricket in the past two years.
It should be noted that this Indian team is not at full strength as they trial a mixture of youth and inexperienced players at the international level prior to the Champions Trophy in 2017.
However the over-reliance on a handful of players is a worrying trend for the selectors.
The Indian paceman – with the exception of Jaspreet Bumrah – have once again been frustratingly inconsistent as was evident in the previous match.
After neither Yadav, Kulkarni nor Pandya could keep their economy rate to under six an over, Dhoni as usual was forced to call on his spinners to halt the New Zealand charge.
Similarly with the batting, too much of the load is being assigned to few a players.
As Dhoni transitions from a big hitting finisher to a middle order grafter in the mould of Michael Bevan, the previously settled batting order now looks very different.
The young core of Pandey, Pandya and Axar have all shown promise in the past, but are yet to have a defining moment with the bat this series.
Prediction
A victory for New Zealand will give them their first ODI series win in India after four previous unsuccessful attempts.
A victory for India will give them their first bilateral series win in two years against a nation other than Zimbabwe.
Safe to say the stakes are high. With both teams experiencing struggles with the bat this match could boil down to the team that holds its nerves with the ball and in the field.
The return of Bumrah will bolster the Indian pace attack and the constant presence of the Indian spinners may be enough to put away a dogged New Zealand outfit.
India win in a very tight contest.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Well that's all to report from Vizag as India have celebrated Diwali with a 3-2 victory against New Zealand in the 5 match ODI series. It has been a pleasure bringing you all the action tonight, until next time goodnight.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Amit Mishra also picks up the Man of the Series award for his 15 wickets at an average of 14.33. He beats out the likes of Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson who were both mighty with the bat for their teams.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
No surprises for MoM with Amit Mishra picking up the award for his figures of 18/5 of six overs.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Man of the match and Man of the Series awards to be handed out soon.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
At 63/2 in the 15th over with Williamson and Taylor batting sensibly in tricky batting conditions the game looked like it could go down to the wire. But a blitzkrieg from Mishra and some able support from his fellow spinner colleagues Axar and J. Yadav has won India the 5th ODI as well as the series. After fighting back so admirably in this ODI series it is a disappointing end for New Zealand's tour of India, but all credit to the Indians tonight who out played their opponents in all facets of the game. Half centuries from Sharma and Kohli plus contributions from Dhoni, Jadhav and Axar allowed India to post a formidable score on a slow and turning pitch. With each bowler picking up at least one wicket the Indians ensured the New Zealand chase never left the ground.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
New Zealand were looking to create history today and they did, but unfortunately for them it is the wrong kind of history. This is their lowest ever total against India. Also this is the shortest amount of overs in which a New Zealand team have been dismissed in ODI cricket. Just a horrid batting innings.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
OUT Game over and Series over! India have embarrassed New Zealand in the final match winning by 190 runs. Axar comes on to replace Mishra and finishes the match with his first ball of the over. The ball kept low surprising Santner going underneath his bat to hit the middle stump and put the Kiwis out of their misery. Vicious delivery that, not much Santner could have done. Santner b Axar 4 (10) NZ 79/10 after 23.1 Boult 1
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
In the last 10 over New Zealand are 22/7 as Yadav completes 4th over giving away two singles in his over. Unfortunately NZ will have to wait for their maiden series win against India in India. NZ 79/9 after 23.0 Santner 4 Boult 1
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Trent Boult is the last man in as Jayant Yadav conitnues
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
OUT Mishra has his five wicket haul! Tossed up once again pitching on off as Sodhi is sucked into playing the sweep shot. It goes straight up in the air and is caught by Rahane at slip. Unbelievable collapse by NZ. Another wicket maiden for Mishra who has completely befuddled the Kiwi batsmen Sodhi c Rahane b Mishra 0 (5) NZ 76/9 after 22.0 Santner 2 Boult 0
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
To put the NZ collapse into perspective, just over 5 overs ago the Kiwis were 63/2! Yadav finishes another clean over with just the two runs from it. NZ 76/8 after 21.0 Santner 2 Sodhi 0
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
OUT The end is coming quickly for the Black Caps as Southee is the next man to fall to Amit Mishra. Completely deceived in flight as Southee tries to slog him out of the park. His foot leaves his crease momentarily in which Dhoni whips off the bails. Mishra has his fourth wicket as he bowls a wicket maiden. Southee stumped Dhoni b Mishra 0 (4) NZ 74/8 after 20.0 Santner 0 Sodhi 0
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
OUT What a ball from Mishra!! Gets a lot of drift pitching the ball outside off stump before spinning back in to clip the off stump bail. Neesham is helpless as he witnesses some world class leg spin bowling. NZ are out on their feet. Neesham b Mishra 3 (13) NZ 74/7 after 19.1 Santner 0 Southee 0
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
OUT Never mind the tough dropped catch, Yadav has done it himself! Traps Anderson absolutely plumb in front with the Kiwi playing down the wrong line. What a moment for Jayant Yadav as he claims his first international wicket. One run and a wicket off the over. Anderson lbw J Yadav 0 (7) NZ 74/6 after 19.0 Neesham 2 Santner 0
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
DROPPED An extremely tough chance spilled at slip by Rahane of the debutant's bowling. Anderson goes for the cut and it's Rahane's hands before he can even close them.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Very good over from Mishra with the exception of a ball that went for five wides. Looks like he could take a wicket with every ball now. NZ 73/5 after 18.0 Neesham 2 Anderson 0
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
After taking an over and a half to find his length Mishra has responded beautifully as he is about to commence his third over. The run rate has passed six for the Kiwis.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Clean opening over from the debutant with just the two from it. Should enjoy bowling to the two left handers at the crease. NZ 68/5 after 17.0 Neesham 2 Anderson 0
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
Jayant Yadav the debutant gets his first taste of bowling at the international level and what time to do it! Jimmy Neesham facing.
Kishan Badrinath
Roar Guru
OUT Triple strike for India!! Mishra has completely bamboozled Watling with the googly. After facing a leg break first ball the googly has gone right through Watling's defence and hit middle stump! Terrific bowling from the leggie! Drinks is called with New Zealand in all sorts of trouble. Watling b Mishra 0 (2) NZ 66/5 after 16.0 Neesham 0 Anderson 0