Mount Maunganui: Stand-in skipper Shreyas Iyer heaped praise on the Indian bowling unit after they successfully defended a modest total to secure a 22-run victory over New Zealand in the fifth and final One Day International (ODI) at the Bay Oval on Sunday. With this thrilling win, India clinched the five-match series 3-1, ending the Kiwis’ formidable 11-series unbeaten streak on home soil.
After a dismal batting performance that saw the Men in Blue bundled out for a mere 209 runs, the visiting bowlers staged a spectacular fightback. Led by left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who registered impressive figures of 3 for 30, the Indian attack systematically dismantled the New Zealand batting lineup, bowling them out for 187 in 48.1 overs.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Iyer acknowledged the challenging conditions and credited the bowling department for their unwavering resolve. “If you see the whole series, it wasn’t a series for batsmen. The way the bowlers bowled, they stood up to the occasion and definitely were confident enough to see to it that they would get the team through irrespective of the conditions,” he said.
Despite the low score at the halfway mark, the Indian camp remained composed. Iyer revealed that the team did not panic during the break and maintained faith in their defensive strategies. “We wanted to give everything, and there was no major discussion at the halfway mark. I stuck with the plan of seamers, and wickets kept coming. When bowlers bowl in partnerships, you bowl tight from one end and pick a wicket from the other,” the captain explained.
Earlier in the day, India’s batting struggled against the host’s pace attack, with Axar Patel and Ishan Kishan providing the only notable contributions, scoring 46 runs each. However, the subsequent bowling effort ensured that the total was more than enough to secure a historic win.
Reflecting on his experience as captain during a highly competitive tour, Iyer described the leadership role as both challenging and rewarding. “I enjoyed leading in ODIs. It was challenging and exhausting. There was a period where the game went slow, but that’s how you gauge the pace. It was exciting,” he remarked.
With the ODI series securely in their grasp, the Indian squad will now shift their focus to the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand, which is scheduled to commence on November 19.