Highlights, India vs New Zealand, 5th ODI at Wellington, Full Cricket Score: Visitors win by 35 runs, take series 4-1

India’s performance in each of their last four overseas bilateral ODI tours:
 

Won in South Africa (5-1)
Lost in England (1-2)
Won in Australia (2-1)
Won in New Zealand (4-1)

Rohit Sharma, India captain:After the Hamilton loss, the way we lost was big. We need to get together as a team. After we lost four wickets, all we needed was somebody to show application. The partnership between Rayudu and Vijay Shankar was the turning point in the game. The wicket got flat at the end, but at one point it looked an easy chase, but the bowling unit came together. Not just one, but a lot of people put their hands up and got us through. I knew there was some moisture on the pitch. If the series was alive, we would have chased, because that is our strength. We wanted to test ourselves today. I couldn’t ask for more. The partnership from Rayudu and Shankar was crucial. When you want to win games, you need a right balance, especially when Bumrah is not here. Coming here and beating NZ at home is never easy and they are a good travelling team as well. 4-1 is a great achievement

Kane Williamson: I think first of all a different surface. We knew it was going to be tricky, and tried to soak it up with the bat. Once again we didn’t need to take it that much further, and we lost wickets at the wrong time. They did it very well. We saw Rayudu here with 90. For a large part, they didn’t score. We knew it was going to be tough. Credit to India throughout the series. They really showed us and taught us a few lessons. They are a world-class outfit and deserve this win. (On lessons learnt) I suppose the way they were able to comeback and keep putting us under pressure. It is a game of pressure. Throughout the series they had us under more pressure than we would’ve liked. We were able to do that on occasions, but not long enough.

Mohammed Shami is the Player of the Series

Rayudu: Was very tough against the quality bowling attack. We should take the game at least till the 30th over before we started to attack. The only plan was to bat the 50 overs. The opportunity for 4, 5 and 6 only arises when the situation demands it.Don’t think setting totals has ever been an issue. That was a one-off game in Hamilton. Might face similar challenges in future. I think it was great effort by our bowlers.

Ambati Rayudu was the Player of the Match

Another dominating performance from Team India emerge victorious in the ODI series, besides the Hamilton debacle, the Indian team was way above, New Zealand, who are right behind them in ICC ODI team rankings. Shows the gulf between the top two sides – England and India – and the rest in the world.

NZ will be disappointed with ther series result and have more than few problems to fix before the World Cup. The batting is thin and was exposed multiple times against the slower bowlers. New Zealand had a real chance today to make it 3-2 and perhaps finishing the ODI series on a high. Ross Taylor not deciding to review. Black Caps letting India off from 18 for 4. Neesham’s bizarre run out and more such moments.

From India’s perspective, Rayudu getting a 90 and recovering when they lost their top three and even Dhoni early, they managed to get to 250. Hardik getting a hit is also a very good sign.

Lowest scores at which India lost their fourth wicket in an ODI and still won the match:

9 v Zimbabwe, Tunbridge Wells, 1983

18 v New Zealand, Wellington, 2019*

25 v New Zealand, Sharjah, 1986

Most wins for India against a country in ODIs:

90 – Sri Lanka

59 – West Indies

55 – New Zealand*

54 – Pakistan

53 – England

New Zealand losing four or more matches in bilateral home ODI series:

4 v Australia, 1999/00

4 v Sri Lanka, 2000/01

5 v Australia, 2004/05

4 v India, 2018/19*

Even with their deep batting, this was an inevitability. Credit to New Zealand’s lower order for taking it deep though. But the Black Caps will be left lamenting their top-order woes. Not much has been contributed from there throughout this series. Alternately, India’s pace attack has also been on the money with initial breakthroughs and this is where the series has been decided. 

India win 4-1 and now, its just five ODIs remaining before the World Cup. Oh, there are three T20Is to play here before that as well as this long tour winds down.

ALL OUT! India win fifth ODI by 35 runs and claim the series 4-1

Boult is the last man to be dismissed caught by third man with Bhuvneshwar Kumar picking the final wicket. Short ball outside off and Boult was eyeing to strike it over the cover fielder but gets a thick top edge. Shami gets underneath and takes the simple catch.
 

Boult c Shami b Bhuvneshwar 1(3)

After 44 overs,New Zealand 217/9 ( Matt Henry 17 , Trent Boult 1)

Couple of massive sixes from Henry after Santner’s departure gives optimistic fans an outside hope for a late NZ comeback

SIX! Too loose from Pandya. Drops it mid pitch and Henry has absolutely clouted this over backward square leg fence for another six

SIX! Short ball into the surface, rising just about perfectly for Matt Henry to blast it with a flat bat to mid wicket boundary

OUT! Santner flicks it straight to the man at 45. Mohammed Shami takes a simple catch and Santner cannot believe his luck. Timed the ball well but it went straight to the fielder. He is in complete disbelief. Full delivery on leg stump and Santner whipped it to the fielder
 

Santner c Shami b Hardik Pandya 22(37)

After 43 overs,New Zealand 204/8 ( Mitchell Santner 22 , Matt Henry 5)

Yuzvendra Chahal comes on to bowl the final over his spell. After a couple of dots, Santner flicks it to midwicket for a couple. Another single before last two deliveries are played out by Henry to end his quota. New Zealand need 49 runs with 42 balls remaining.

After 42 overs,New Zealand 201/8 ( Mitchell Santner 19 , Matt Henry 5)

Shami starts the 42nd over with an attempted yorker that is squeezed to long on for a single. Couple of yorkers and few singles before Henry clears his front leg and nails it down the ground to bring up the 200 for NZ. Black Caps need 52 off 48 balls

Most wickets for spinners in an ODI series against New Zealand in New Zealand:

10 – Muttiah Muralitharan, 2000/01

9 – Anil Kumble, 1993/94

9 – Paul Strang, 1997/98

9 – Shane Warne, 1999/00

9 – Yuzvendra Chahal, 2018/19*

FOUR! Henry picks the slower delivery and thrashes it down the ground for a boundary to long off. Hit fiercely over the bowler.

After 41 overs,New Zealand 194/8 ( Mitchell Santner 17 , Matt Henry 0)

Chahal collects his third wicket of the match as India step closer to another ODI victory. Matt Henry is the new man in. India need two wickets. NZ need a miracle, which translates to 59 runs off 54 balls.

OUT! Todd Astle goes for the big slog sweep, misses the googly from Chahal and is hit on the back thigh. NZ hurtling down. Astle did refer the decision but three reds on pitching, impact and wickets mean only one thing. The legitimacy of the ball was never really in question. India now two wickets away.

Todd Astle lbw b Chahal 10(16)

DID YOU KNOW?
 

Kedar Jadhav’s dismissal of Kane Willamson earlier today was only his third wicket while chasing in ODIs. His other two victims while chasing in ODIs are Ross Taylor and Kesrick Williams. In his career, he has taken 22 of his 25 wickets in the first innings.

Chahal back into the attack

After 40 overs,New Zealand 189/7 ( Mitchell Santner 13 , Todd Astle 9)

Couple of crisp shots from Astle through covers at the start off Shami’s over gives NZ three runs but Santner is unable to rotate the strike until he gets an outside edge to third man off the final ball. Kiwis require 64 runs off 60 balls.

After 39 overs,New Zealand 185/7 ( Mitchell Santner 12 , Todd Astle 6)
 

Jadhav comes on to bowl the seventh over and a couple singles on either side of the boundary helps NZ will six more runs.

FOUR! Flat delivery outside off and Astle simply thwacks it through the covers for a boundary.

After 38 overs,New Zealand 179/7 ( Mitchell Santner 11 , Todd Astle 1)

After Santner takes the single off the first ball. Todd Astle faces the next five deliveries but isn’t able to score any run. Just one off it. NZ need 74 off 72 balls.

After 37 overs,New Zealand 178/7 ( Mitchell Santner 10 , Todd Astle 1)

Neesham was really the last hope for NZ and he has been done under slightly bizzare circumstances. MS Dhoni knew the value of the wicket and hence you saw an animated celebration. Todd Astle is in at number 9

Not even sure what Neesham was doing there or if he was aware where the ball was. Run out over an lbw shout and with that New Zealand’s hope sink. Unless Todd Astle is a mighty impressive batsman…

OUT! Oh dear! Neesham goes down on the knee to play the sweep and misses, followed by a loud shout for a leg before, with the ball rolled behind MSD! Neesham doesn’t know where the ball is and he wanders outside his crease. Ever in the game, Dhoni picks and up and hits the stump to catch Neesham short. BIG MOMENT in the match as India celebrate
 

Neesham run out (Dhoni) 44(32)

After 36 overs,New Zealand 175/6 ( James Neesham 44 , Mitchell Santner 8)

Neesham starting to tee off. Had struck some sublime strokes so far and now he is turning it on, playing the big shots as well. NZ require 78 off 84 balls.

SIX! That is hit, high into the night sky and deep into the stands over mid wicket. Clean hit for a six.

FOUR! Gee, that is some shot from Neesham! Again just a simple pick up and the ball races to midwicket fence

Neesham played a couple cracking knocks earlier in the summer against Sri Lanka. As long as he is there, New Zealand are still in this. Santner is no mug with the bat. Required rate at 6/over isn’t too over the top yet.

After 35 overs,New Zealand 162/6 ( James Neesham 32 , Mitchell Santner 7)

Shami started his new spell really well but Neesham’s boundaries has helped NZ take 10 runs off the over. He is the man in form. In the series against Sri Lanka he pasted their bowlers all over the park, will he do the same tonight?

FOUR! What a terrific shot that from Jimmy Neesham. Opens the face of the bat a touch and steers it past point for a boundary, was the slower off-cutter and Neesham worked it out really well.

FOUR! Short ball from Shami and Neesham pulls it midwicket fence for a boundary…poor fielding from Shankar in the deep that allows the ball to go through him, that should have been kept down to one

Mohammed Shami returns into the attack

After 34 overs,New Zealand 152/6 ( James Neesham 24 , Mitchell Santner 6)

Pandya started the over with a wayward wide down the legside to Neesham, while he ends the over round the stumps to Santner, not getting his line right to the left-handers. NZ take 11 runs from his over as they go past the 150-run mark.

SIX! Excellent pick up shot from Neesham. Hardik sprays full on the pads and Neesham and flicked it powerfully for a six

After 33 overs,New Zealand 141/6 ( James Neesham 17 , Mitchell Santner 3)

Quiet over from Chahal as India pull things back in their favour. Three singles off the wrist-spinners’ eighth over. Two left-handers in the middle against a right arm leg break bowler but even with the ball turning into them, they situation doesn’t quite permit them to play the big shots. Drinks called.

After 32 overs,New Zealand 138/6 ( James Neesham 15 , Mitchell Santner 2)

Santner ducks under couple of short deliveries from Pandya. He opens his acount with a streaky outside edge to third man for two. Kiwis need 115 off 108 balls.

After 31 overs,New Zealand 135/6 ( James Neesham 14 , Mitchell Santner 0)

Chahal with another successful over, picking De Grandhomme off the final ball of the over. NZ in deep trouble now. They continue to flounder against spin. India can sniff victory now.

OUT! Not the same player against spin bowler. Colin de Grandhomme is caught right in front. Doesn’t even consult his partner for a review. He knew he was dead duck. Googly from Chahal does the trick. It was pushed through and CDG played for the spin and brought out his front foot forward to push the ball on the offside, but the ball skids beats the inside edge and hits him right in front.

Colin de Grandhomme lbw b Chahal 11(8)

After 30 overs,New Zealand 131/5 ( James Neesham 11 , Colin de Grandhomme 10)

Courtesy to the couple of boundaries from De Grandhomme, NZ take 10 off Hardik’s first over of the second spell

FOUR! Successive boundaries for CDG! Similar shot, this time flicked it to mid wicket fence

FOUR! In the aiiiirr and with the mid on up in the ring it was a safe shot. De Grandhomme knew exactly where the field was. CDG simply lofts the inslanter with the angle to wide long fence

After 29 overs,New Zealand 121/5 ( James Neesham 10 , Colin de Grandhomme 1)

Colin de Grandhomme comes out to the middle after Latham’s dismissal. Gets off the mark with a thick inside edge to square leg and has no clue to Chahal’s googly at the end of the over. Two runs and Latham’s wicket off Chahal’s over.

Wickets coming now. Chahal with an lbw and Latham is going back. New Zealand struggling now. Williamson wicket was vital herein as it allowed Chahal to come back into the attack.

OUT! And Latham falls while attempting the sweep. Yuzvendra Chahal maintains the leg stump line and looks like it was the top-spinner. Latham after some consultation with Neesham decides against challenging the on-field Umpire’s call and replays suggest Latham was correct. Failed to connect the sweep and he has been dismissed for the second time in this series while trying to play the stroke.

Latham lbw b Chahal 37(49)

After 28 overs,New Zealand 119/4 ( Tom Latham (W) 37 , James Neesham 9)

Back to back overs where the last ball of the over ended up going for a boundary. Eight runs leaked off Jadhav’s over.

FOUR! Neesham picks it off his pads and flicks it to mid wicket fence with ease. Poor bowling from Jadhav

After 27 overs,New Zealand 111/4 ( Tom Latham (W) 36 , James Neesham 2)

A boundary off the final ball makes it a five-run over. Chahal was just building some pressure before Latham got the four.

FOUR! Latham goes back and cuts it past point for a much-needed boundary

After 26 overs,New Zealand 106/4 ( Tom Latham (W) 32 , James Neesham 1)

Kedar Jadhav once again breaking a partnership with an absolute pie. At least that’s what it looked when you watch it, at least that’s what it looks to all the batsmen who have gone after it and ended up choking on that same pie, when they start walking towards the dressing room. Williamson’s pull doesn’t come off and after a toil to 39, he gave it away when the team desperately required him to stay put.

How many times have we seen this? Jadhav getting a breakthrough. Part timer with a golden arm as he invariably strikes when the opposition attacks him. Williamson unable to clear the long fence and is caught in the deep.

OUT! There it is. Williamson runs out of patience and has miscued a half-tracker from Jadhav to Dhawan at deep mid wicket. A nothing delivery outside off stump and Williamson wanted to hit this out of the park, didn’t time it at all. Big wicket for India. Dhawan does the *thigh five* Jadhav too shows his moves. MS Dhoni with a bright smile. All’s good in the Indian camp.

Williamson c Dhawan b Kedar Jadhav 39(73)

After 25 overs,New Zealand 104/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 39 , Tom Latham (W) 31)

Another uneventful over with Williamson and Latham working away four more singles. At the halfway stage Kiwis need 149 runs off 150 balls. India will know these two are the key here, if they can break this partnership, NZ’s all-rounders haven’t really fired with the bat (beside Neesham, who hasn’t had an outing with the bat), they will be back in it.

After 24 overs,New Zealand 100/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 37 , Tom Latham (W) 29)

Just seems like Jadhav is about to lure a false stroke from Williamson or Latham with those round arm floaters. Williamson pushed one in the air but was slightly wide of the bowler. Four singles bring the 100 up for Black Caps.

After 23 overs,New Zealand 96/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 35 , Tom Latham (W) 27)

Without much fuss, Latham and Williamson nudge five singles off Chahal’s over.

After 22 overs,New Zealand 91/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 33 , Tom Latham (W) 24)

Kedar’s round-arm bowling on display as he starts to get into his rhythm. Just creating a few doubts in batsman’s mind. A flick for two to midwicket makes it a six-run over. Latham and Williamson go past the 50-run mark for the fourth wicket stand. NZ need 162 off 168 balls.

After 21 overs,New Zealand 85/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 29 , Tom Latham (W) 22)

Latham and Williamson exchanges couple of singles before Latham flicks it for a couple on the onside. Tidy stuff from Chahal to keep it down to four.

After 20 overs,New Zealand 81/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 28 , Tom Latham (W) 19)

Almost on cue with a partnership building, Kedar Jadhav enters the scene with the ball in hand. Couple of run out opportunity just about created by the Indians in the field couple by some indecision between Latham and Williamson. Five runs including a wide taken off the over.

The two all-rounders have kept things tight. But Chahal going for runs in his very first over might upset plans for India. Jadhav coming on is a sign that Rohit isn’t sure of 50 overs from his five regular bowlers. Kane Williamson meanwhile looking most fluent in this innings as compared to rest of the series.

Kedar Jadhav into the attack

After 19 overs,New Zealand 76/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 26 , Tom Latham (W) 17)

Chahal’s over is worked away for six runs, including a boundary from Latham. These two have added 38 runs for the fourth wicket. Pressure slowly being transferred back on to the visitors

FOUR! Chahal drops it short on stumps and Latham stands tall to dispatch it to midwicket fence.

Yuzvendra Chahal introduced into the attack

After 18 overs,New Zealand 70/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 25 , Tom Latham (W) 12)

With the help of couple of boundaries, Williamson’s innings gets a proper move on. Slowly, steadily and surely Williamson and Latham are building a partnership of some worth.

FOUR! This should get Williamson going! Stunning straight drive for which the batsmen didn’t bother running. Length ball on middle and leg and Williamson drives it past the non-striker for a consecutive boundaries

FOUR! Nothing delivery from Shankar. Short and wide, meant to be hit and Williamson finally gets a good piece on that. Cut to deep point for a boundary.

After 17 overs,New Zealand 60/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 16 , Tom Latham (W) 11)
 

Latham collects his first boundary off the second ball of Hardik’s over. Another near chop-on from Williamson to end the first over after drinks break. Six runs from the over.

FOUR! Such wonderful wrists at play. Latham maintains his shape and hits it past mid on for a boundary

After 16 overs,New Zealand 54/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 15 , Tom Latham (W) 6)

Latham brings up NZ’s 50 with a quick single to cover. Williamson skips down the pitch and slices it over the infield on the offside. Williamson wasn’t in control and therefore wasn’t timed well. Sweeper keeps it down to a single. Williamson pushes with hard hands to short mid wicket fielder, goes to him on the bounce. Players break for drinks.

After 15 overs,New Zealand 49/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 12 , Tom Latham (W) 4)

Hardik continues to trouble the batsman. Hurries Williamson with a surprise short ball and then almost has him trapped to the nip-backer. Albeit streaky, Williamson scored his first boundary off his 36th delivery.

FOUR! Short ball by Pandya that climbs quickly on Williamson, who is late on the pull and gets a top edge over MS Dhoni for a boundary.

After 14 overs,New Zealand 44/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 8 , Tom Latham (W) 3)

Couple of straight drives from Williamson, both stopped by the bowler Vijay Shankar, the second effort to stop the ball in his follow through required him to put in the dive to keep him on strike. Just two singles off the over. NZ need a partnership going from themselves. India right on top. Even the energy in the field and body language of the players are making 250 look like 300.

After 13 overs,New Zealand 42/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 7 , Tom Latham (W) 2)

Latham takes a risky single off the first ball and could have been in danger if Chahal at mid off had collected the ball cleanly. Williamson moves across his wicket to flick the ball for a single to wide mid on. Latham almost ends up playing on to his stumps off the penultimate delivery off the over.

After 12 overs,New Zealand 40/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 6 , Tom Latham (W) 1)

After 13 balls being stuck at five, Williamson earns his sixth run via a punch through the offside. Latham tucks it off his pads after shuffling across to get off the mark

Vijay Shankar comes into the attack

After 11 overs,New Zealand 38/3 ( Kane Williamson (C) 5 , Tom Latham (W) 0)

Taylor can rue his decision of not to make use of DRS all he wants in the dressing room, as far as India is concerned they will be overjoyed to see the back of Taylor. Pandya has a wicket in the first over of his spell. Tom Latham is the new batsman in.

The last time before today when Ross Taylor dismissed for a single digit score was back in January, 2018 against Pakistan at Hamilton when he was dismissed for one run.

Pandya with the wicket now. Hit a little high on Ross Taylor’s pads… Williamson even said that while they were discussing DRS. But he walks off. Massive wicket for this chase. Replays might be interesting though.

OUT! Pandya has Taylor plumb in front. Back of a length delivery and nips back in sharply. Comes in after pitching and hits Taylor around the knee roll. Keeps marching towards a dressing room. He does have a brief conversation with Williamson, but doesn’t opt for a review. Well…he should have…the ball-tracking shows the ball was going over the stumps. What looked plumb to the naked eye was going over the wickets. This will hurt the Black Caps sorely.

Ross Taylor lbw b Hardik Pandya 1(4)

Hardik Pandya introduced into the attack

After 10 overs,New Zealand 38/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 5 , Ross Taylor 1)

Shami continues to create opportunities and in the process picking wickets too. India missed him at Hamilton, here once again he has got the Kiwi openers realtively early. Williamson still stuck in a rut. Unable to find the middle of his bat, Ross Taylor gets off the mark with a single.

Munro goes… was struggling his way through that short innings and although he managed some runs, the timing just wasn’t there. Shami with a double breakthrough within the first ten overs. What a pacer, full of rhythm and confidence, he is at present.

OUT! Munro drags a short ball outside off back onto his stumps. Shami from round the wicket, bowls it short and wide and Munro saw an opportunity to smash a boundary through the offside, slashed with any feet movement, only to chop the ball back on.

C Munro b Shami 24(19)

After 9 overs,New Zealand 37/1 ( Colin Munro 24 , Kane Williamson (C) 5)

Munro is no mood to keep it along the ground. After boundary, skews another hit that went straight up but evaded the mid off fielder. Seven runs taken off the over.

FOUR! Another swing on the leg side by Munro and despite placing couple fielders in the deep, the ball manages to run the boundary. Comes from the inside half of the bat and hence it goes towards square leg boundary instead of the mid wicket he was targetting.

After 8 overs,New Zealand 30/1 ( Colin Munro 17 , Kane Williamson (C) 5)

Munro gets to the non-striker’s end with a single to extra-cover off the first ball. Shami maintains tight lines to Williamson, who is yet to find his groove. Just a single off the over.

After 7 overs,New Zealand 29/1 ( Colin Munro 16 , Kane Williamson (C) 5)

Bhuvi liking the challenge against Munro. After being hit for a boundary, Bhuvneshwar shows his variety with the ball with an off cutter and knuckle ball that doesn’t allow Munro to go big.

FOUR! Right in Munro’s arc. Picked off his hips and pulled it to cow corner for a boundary

After 6 overs,New Zealand 24/1 ( Colin Munro 11 , Kane Williamson (C) 5)

A near chop on. A half leg before shout all against Williamson, who has looked out of sorts in the 14 balls he has faced. An anomly with Williamson, however, it has been a very iffy series for him. Gets a couple off the inside edge to the fine leg. Very similar to his dismissal in second ODI.

After 5 overs,New Zealand 22/1 ( Colin Munro 11 , Kane Williamson (C) 3)

A slip and a gully to stop Williamson from dabbing it down to third man and get off the strike. The Indians have done their homework and it has worked well in the series. The strategy to stop Williamson collecting easy singles through third man, especially early in the innings, has frustrated him and often led to a mistake. Indians doing the same thing again, although after a couple of failed attempts, Williamson just beats the diving gully to his left for a single off the final ball of Bhuvi’s over.

Kane Williamson holds the record of scoring most runs (434 in eight innings) at Westpac Stadium, Wellington in ODIs.

DID YOU KNOW?

Mohammed Shami has now picked up a wicket in each of the nine ODIs that he has played in New Zealand.

New Zealand off the blocks quite quickly as compared to India’s slow start, full of wickets. Munro has a point to prove.

Henry Nicholls’ batting average in ODIs:

Overall – 35.68

2019 – 50.80

After 4 overs,New Zealand 20/1 ( Colin Munro 10 , Kane Williamson (C) 2)

Captain Williamson is in early once again, courtesy Shami. He ends Shami’s over with a gentle drive through covers for two to get off the mark.

OUT! Shami digs in short and Nicholls mistimes the pull. It has gone straight to Kedar Jadhav at slightly widish mid on position. Shami provides the early breakthrough. Just didn’t get it right there, Nicholls. Shot was on, but needed to nail that one.

Henry Nicholls c Kedar Jadhav b Shami 8(15)

After 3 overs,New Zealand 18/0 ( Colin Munro 10 , Henry Nicholls 8)

Munro has clearly flagged his intentions today. His massive six underlines his prowess with the bat, perhaps preparing himself for the upcoming T20 series.

SIX! That’s big! Swings it hard across the line and dispatches a back of a length delivery outside off to wide long on boundary

After 2 overs,New Zealand 11/0 ( Colin Munro 4 , Henry Nicholls 7)

Nicholls gets a thick inside edge for a couple before he collects a boundary. Great piece of fielding by Shanker to end the over, almost created a run out chance, however Kiwis take eight runs off the over.

FOUR! Just a firm push down the ground by past the diving mid off fielder by Nicholls earns him his first boundary. The ball just about got to the ropes in the end.

Mohammed Shami to bowl from the other end

After 1 overs,New Zealand 3/0 ( Colin Munro 3 , Henry Nicholls 0)

Fresh from a quickfire half-century in Supersmash on Groundhog day, Munro picks off from where he left in Auckland almost 24 hours ago, he goes airborne off his second ball, got it off the outside half of the bat clearing the infield for two. Munro gets to the other end with a single to cover. Nicholls sees the remaining three deliveries.

Playing his second game as an opener, Henry Nicholls, has a new opener in Colin Munro. Bhuvneshwar Kumar to start the defence of 252 for India.

The last time before this series when India were bowled out in two consecutive ODIs was back in 2015 against Bangladesh in Mirpur.

Excellent burst from Pandya. He hits boundaries from shapes and positions that others may not be able to. Brilliant timer

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 3, 2019

India today:

1-10 overs : 22/4
11-20 overs : 35/0
21-30 overs : 52/0
31-40 overs : 59/1
41-50 overs : 84/5

Highest SR for batsmen in an ODI v NZ in NZ: (Min.20 balls faced)

260.00 – Shahid Afridi, Christchurch, 2011

231.03 – Shahid Afridi, Wellington, 2015

222.50 – Abdul Razzaq, Wellington, 2004

204.54 – Hardik Pandya, Wellington, 2019*

After 49.5 overs,India 252/10 ( Yuzvendra Chahal 0 , )

Bhuvneshwar collects a double off the first delivery to bring up the 250 for India. Singles collected off the next two deliveries. India’s innings then comes to an end as Bhuvneshwar and Shami are dismissed off successive deliveries

India are bowled out for 252 with a ball left in their innings. Unlike Hamilton though, India actually are very much in the game at the moment, thanks to a middle-order resurgence.

OUT! India have been bowled out for a second consecutive game, although this time they actually stand a chance in the match unlike Hamilton. Chahal taps the ball towards the bowler, and Boult leaps athletically at the non-striker’s stumps, with Shami a good three-four steps down the track. IND 252 all out

Shami run out (Boult) 1(1)

And against all odds India reach 250. Pandya single-handedly making sure of that. One more over to go…

Pandya’s six hitting comes to an end. What a super cameo while it lasted, showing India do have the firepower when needed. Maybe a promotion as we go ahead, but that’s for later consideration. Magnificent catch from Boult, called for it, made up ground and completed the job.

OUT! Bhuvneshwar perishes while looking to clear extra cover, with Ross Taylor taking a fine catch inside the circle. IND 252/9

Bhuvneshwar c Taylor b Boult 6(8)

After 49 overs,India 248/8 ( Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3 , )

Pandya smashes a four and a six off the first two balls to instantly put Neesham under pressure. Neesham bowls a short ball that goes over the batsman’s head, but is not called a wide. Pandya comes back for a double after tapping the ball towards long on, but doesn’t ground his batat the non-striker’s end, resulting in a run being shaved off against his name. Pandya’s dismissed off the last delivery, skieing the ball off a full-toss from Neesham with Boult taking a fine catch near backward square leg. 15 runs and a wicket off an eventful over.

OUT! Pandya’s walking back after skieing the ball off a full toss from Neesham, with Boult taking a fine running catch at backward square-leg. Pandya reviews it for a no-ball, but is unable to get it overturned. IND 248/8

Bhuvneshwar c Boult b Neesham 45(22)

FOUR! A well-directed yorker from Neesham is steered towards third man. Superb batting by Pandya. IND 248/7

SIX! Fifth big hit for Pandya, and this one’s sweetly-timed off a juicy full toss from Neesham! IND 243/7

FOUR! Creamed through extra cover by Pandya! Supreme timing on the occasion! IND 237/7

Jimmy Neesham brought back for the penultimate over of the innings.

After 48 overs,India 233/7 ( Hardik Pandya 30 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3)

Bhuvneshwar collects a single off the first ball, guiding it to third man. Dot off the second. Singles off the third and fourth deliveries. Just when it looked like Boult would collect a tidy ninth over, Pandya slaps the ball over deep midwicket for a six to spoil it. 10 off the over.

SIX! Pandya slaps a back-of-length delivery from Boult, and this one didn’t look like it came off the middle, but somehow managed to clear the midwicket fence regardless. IND 232/7

Trent Boult brought back for his final spell.

After 47 overs,India 223/7 ( Hardik Pandya 22 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1)

Pandya finally gets going in this over, smacking a hat-trick of sixes off Astle to highlight his value towards the team. 18 off the over.

SIX! Hat-trick of sixes for Pandya, and this one’s the biggest of them all! All the way into the stands beyond midwicket! IND 223/7

SIX! Back-to-back big hits for Pandya off Astle, and this one lands just beyond the deep extra cover rope as three fielders convergeat that point. IND 217/7

SIX! Slightly short from Astle, and this one’s smoked over the midwicket fence by Pandya, who finally gets going! IND 211/7

Matt Henry has thwarted India’s plans of 250. And that’s valid for the start and end of innings both. Jadhav gone. Upto Pandya now. Not much firepower left in the tank.

After 46 overs,India 205/7 ( Hardik Pandya 4 , Bhuvneshwar Kumar 1)

Pandya smacks the ball through cover for a single at the start of the over. Jadhav then chops the ball onto his stumps off a slower ball to depart for 34, bringing Bhuvi to the crease. Singles off the fourth and fifth deliveries, with Bhuvneshwar getting off the mark. Henry signs off with figures of 4/35, marking a quality day in office.

Ambati Rayudu became the first Indian batsman to be dismissed in 90s in ODIs in New Zealand.

BOWLED! Soft end to what was turning out to be a quality innings from Jadhav, as he gets an inside edge onto his stumps. Henry gets his fourth in his final over. IND 203/7

Jadhav b Henry 34(45)

After 45 overs,India 202/6 ( Kedar Jadhav 34 , Hardik Pandya 2)

Pandya punches through cover for a single after a couple of dots. Sweep-and-a-miss for Jadhav off the fourth. Jadhav ends the over with a boundary, with the 200 coming up for India with another five overs to go after this.

FOUR! Jadhav goes for the lofted square drive, with the ball beating the diving fielder in the deep. 200 up for India! IND 202/6

Rayudu goes after a well-made half-century which was requirement of the situation. Now, over to Pandya-Jadhav. They will be aiming for 250 and have the arsenal of shots to get there.

After 44 overs,India 197/6 ( Kedar Jadhav 30 , Hardik Pandya 1)

Rayudu smashes the ball towards the backward square-leg fence to collect his eighth four, before holing out to Munro at deep extra cover to depart 10 runs short of a hundred, as Henry breaks the partnership that was worth 74. Jadhav smacks the ball down the ground for a boundary, placing it wide of mid off. No-ball called for height off the final delivery, and it’s new batsman Pandya who’s facing the free hit. Pandya steers towards deep cover, but only gets a single. 11 off the over.

FOUR! Well-placed by Jadhav! Mid off’s up, and Jadhav places this outside his reach, with the ball rolling down the ground in the process. IND 194/6

OUT! Rayudu falls short of the century in the end, succumbing to the pressure of boosting the run rate in the final powerplay. Slices the ball while looking to go big on the off side, with Munro taking a safe catch at deep extra cover. Was a slower one from Henry, and Rayudu knew as soon as he miscued it.  IND 190/6

Rayudu c Munro b Henry 90(113)

FOUR! Rayudu moves to 90 with a swivel towards the backward square-leg boundary! IND 190/5

After 43 overs,India 186/5 ( Ambati Rayudu 86 , Kedar Jadhav 25)

Jadhav guides a full toss from Astle down the ground for an easy single. Three dots later, Rayudu taps the ball towards cover for a single. Good over from Astle, with just tw singles coming off it.

Right, time for the acceleration. Eight overs remaining. India need Pandya in the middle too. One of these two batsmen has to go after the bowling.

After 42 overs,India 184/5 ( Ambati Rayudu 85 , Kedar Jadhav 24)

Rayudu smashes the ball towards the square-leg fence like a rocket, collecting his sixth boundary, before getting Jadhav on strike with a single. Jadhav gets a slower bouncer off the fourth delivery that goes above his helmet, but isn’t called a wide, much to the batsman’s disappointment. Rayudu ends the over with a boundary off a reverse paddle. 10 off the over.

FOUR! Clever work by Rayudu, guiding the ball towards the vacant third man region off a reverse paddle. De Grandhomme runs all the way, puts in a dive, but fails to prevent the ball from rolling away in the end. IND 184/5

FOUR! Swatted away towards the square-leg fence like a rocket by Rayudu! IND 178/5

Matt Henry brought back into the attack.

After 41 overs,India 174/5 ( Ambati Rayudu 76 , Kedar Jadhav 23)

Jadhav rocks back and pulls a back-of-length ball off the third delivery towards cow corner for a brace. Collects another double next ball, this time a fumble by Santner at deep extra cover helping him. Singles collected off each of the last two balls.

Ambati Rayudu’s scores in the fifth match of an ODI series:

20, 53, 59, 75* (ongoing)

Todd Astle brought back into the attack.

Todd Astle brought back into the attack.

After 40 overs,India 168/5 ( Ambati Rayudu 75 , Kedar Jadhav 18)

Big over for the Indians, with Munro conceding 15 off it to finish with 0/47 from 10. Rayudu smashes two sixes in the over, both towards midwicket, to give the run rate a much-needed boost as the innings enters the third powerplay.

SIX! This one’s hit even further into the stands than the one smashed two balls ago. Rayudu brings up the fifty-partnership in the process. IND 168/5

SIX! Heaved over the midwicket fence by Rayudu! That had six written all over it as soon as it left the bat! IND 162/5

After 39 overs,India 153/5 ( Ambati Rayudu 63 , Kedar Jadhav 15)

Four singles, a double and a wide conceded by Boult in his eighth over, as the Indians breach the 150-run barrier. Rayudu opens the face of his bat to guide a short ball towards third man, with the ball landing just short of the fielder.

Dropped. Rayudu gets a life. Turning out to be his day today. Could be the different between India getting 200-240. Of course much depends on how ballistic Pandya-Jadhav can be. This was a test for Rayudu until now, but here onwards we will see the hitting ability of Jadhav-Pandya as well.

After 38 overs,India 146/5 ( Ambati Rayudu 61 , Kedar Jadhav 11)

Rayudu crunches the ball behind square on the off side to collect another boundary for himself. Singles collected off the fourth and fifth deliveries, before Boult drops Rayudu on 60 at long on after a miscued heave by the batsman, allowing a couple of runs to be collected at the same time. Seven off the over.

FOUR! Crunched behind point by Rayudu! Third man could do little to prevent the ball from crossing the rope. IND 143/5

After 37 overs,India 139/5 ( Ambati Rayudu 55 , Kedar Jadhav 10)

Rayudu taps the ball behind square on the off side for a single. Jadhav then pulls towards deep midwicket with supreme timing, collecting his first boundary, before ducking to a short ball down leg that’s called a wide. Six off the over.

FOUR! Slightly back-of-length from Boult, and this one’s crunched towards the midwicket fence by Jadhav. ‘Thwack’ came the sound off Rayudu’s bat. IND 138/5

Trent Boult back in action. He has another four overs in his kitty, and he might be back for a short spell.

Fifty for Rayudu. Chance-less really, except that disastrous run out for Shankar. He has played the number four role to perfection today, balanced out the initial defensive period with some great shot making at the moment. Needs to carry on. India would like to get to 250 here.

After 36 overs,India 133/5 ( Ambati Rayudu 54 , Kedar Jadhav 6)

Jadhav runs the ball down to third man for a single off the second delivery. The two batsmen rotate the strike between themselves, with a single coming off each of the last three deliveries of the over. Four off the over.

After 35 overs,India 129/5 ( Ambati Rayudu 52 , Kedar Jadhav 4)

Slower ball from CDG off the fourth delivery, with a fumble by Latham allowing Jadhav to set off for the non-striker’s end. Rayudu collects back-to-back boundaries off the last two balls to bring up his half-century. Drinks taken at the end of this over.

FOUR! Fifty for Rayudu, and what a glorious shot to bring up the milestone, tucking this one off his hips towards the square-leg boundary! The No 4 batsman takes 86 deliveries to collect his 10th ODI half-century. IND 129/5

FOUR! Rayudu shimmies down the track, and pulls towards the square-leg fence to move to 48. IND 125/5

Highest 5th wicket stands against New Zealand in an ODI after losing first four wickets in less than 20 runs:

98 – Ambati Rayudu/Vijay Shankar, Wellington, 2019*

97 – Richie Berrington/Matt Machan. Dunedin, 2015

After 34 overs,India 120/5 ( Ambati Rayudu 44 , Kedar Jadhav 4)

Jadhav lofts the ball over mid-on, coming back for a second after Boult manages to cut the ball off before it touches the boundary rope. Pulls towards square-leg two balls later for a single. Three off the over.

After 33 overs,India 117/5 ( Ambati Rayudu 44 , Kedar Jadhav 1)

De Grandhomme is brought back in place of Astle, with new batsman Jadhav playing out the first five deliveries before getting off the mark with a single off the last ball.

Colin de Grandhomme brought back.

Mad run out. Both ball watching, especially Rayudu when he should be running as Shankar was running towards the ball. Sold him down the pitch and then ran… India have manufactured a wicket for New Zealand here and again all to do.

Horrible time for India to lose a wicket

A very good little innings by Vijay Shankar. Looked the best Indian batsman today.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 3, 2019

After 32 overs,India 116/5 ( Ambati Rayudu 44 , Kedar Jadhav 0)

New Zealand get the breakthrough that they were looking for as a mix-up between Shankar and Rayudu results in the former getting stranded well short of the non-striker’s end, bringing Kedar Jadhav to the centre. Three runs and a run-out off the over.

OUT! And it’s a mix-up which brings a solid-looking partnership to an end just short of the century mark. Shankar was nowhere in the picture when the non-striker’s stumps were broken by Munro after collecting the throw. IND 116/5

Shankar run out (Neesham/Munro) 45(64)

After 31 overs,India 113/4 ( Ambati Rayudu 42 , Vijay Shankar 44)

Todd Astle’s brought into the attack as Williamson gives Santner a break after a three-over spell. The leggie starts off with a four-run over.

Change of bowling. Todd Astle brought into the attack in place of Santner.

After 30 overs,India 109/4 ( Ambati Rayudu 41 , Vijay Shankar 41)

Six off the over, with Rayudu taking another of his occasional risks, this time heaving the ball towards the midwicket fence, getting enough timing to clear the fence.

SIX! Rayudu skies the ball once again, and manages to middle the ball enough for it to land beyond the boundary rope at the midwicket region. IND 109/4

Shankar has found his groove despite not batting much in this ODI series. Rayudu at the other end playing the perfect anchor role as a number four should do. This knock will go a long way in confirming his case for the World Cup but he must carry on.

After 29 overs,India 103/4 ( Ambati Rayudu 35 , Vijay Shankar 41)

Seven off the over, with Shankar collecting a boundary off the last ball of the over, threading the gap between backward point and short third man, bringing up the 100 for the Indians.

FOUR! Shankar brings up the 100 for India with a cut behind square! IND 103/4

After 28 overs,India 96/4 ( Ambati Rayudu 33 , Vijay Shankar 36)

Rayudu sets off for a quick single after tapping the ball towards cover, with Shankar having to dive to make it to the striker’s end on time. Three off the over.

After 27 overs,India 93/4 ( Ambati Rayudu 31 , Vijay Shankar 35)

Four singles nicked off Santner’s second over. Both Rayudu and Shankar batting in the 30s at this stage, looking fairly well-set.

After 26 overs,India 89/4 ( Ambati Rayudu 29 , Vijay Shankar 33)

Another quiet over from Munro, with just one coming off it. The partnership between Rayudu and Shankar, meanwhile, is already worth 71, an increasing cause for worry for the NZ skipper.

Third ocassion where the fifth wicket stand has added 50+ in ODIs for India after losing first four wickets inside 20 runs:

Mohammad Azharuddin/Kapil Dev v West Indies, Gwalior, 1988

Ajay Jadeja/Robin Singh v Australia, The Oval, 1999

Ambati Rayudu/Vijay Shankar, Wellington, 2019*

After 25 overs,India 88/4 ( Ambati Rayudu 29 , Vijay Shankar 32)

Single collected off each delivery barring the fourth, in which Rayudu gets a thick leading edge while looking to slog it inside out, but the ball falls between the two fielders placed behind square on the off side, with the batsman coming back for a second. Seven off the over.

Rayudu trying to up the ante against Grandhomme. A few more risky shots in his approach now. Shankar looking good at the other end. That middle-order partnership missing in Hamilton has finally come forth.

Mitchell Santner brought into the attack for the first time, replacing de Grandhomme.

After 24 overs,India 81/4 ( Ambati Rayudu 25 , Vijay Shankar 29)

Three singles collected off the over, with Rayudu and Shankar mixing up the occasional risky strokes with the easy singles, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Meanwhile, Santner is warming up, and spin will probably be introduced sooner or later.

After 23 overs,India 78/4 ( Ambati Rayudu 24 , Vijay Shankar 27)

Shankar brings up the fifty partnership with a single off the second ball. Rayudu then puts the bowler under pressure with a four an a six off the last two balls of the over, with 11 coming off the 23rd over. Solid-looking partnership so far between these two.

SIX! This one went high in the air, but Rayudu hit it well enough for it to clear long on! IND 78/4

FOUR! Tickled away to fine leg by Rayudu, who collects his second boundary! IND 72/4

Fifty partnership up between Shankar and Rayudu, the former bringing up the milestone with a single down to third man. Just what the Indians needed after losing four quick wickets, and the Indian camp will be hoping for the two to lay the foundation for a competitive score. IND 68/4

After 22 overs,India 67/4 ( Ambati Rayudu 14 , Vijay Shankar 26)

One medium pacer replaces the other as Munro is brought in place of Neesham, and starts off on a tidy note, conceding just two singles off his first.

Colin Munro brought in place of Jimmy Neesham.

After 21 overs,India 65/4 ( Ambati Rayudu 13 , Vijay Shankar 25)

Shankar collects his third boundary off the first delivery, the ball brushing past his glove and then deflecting off his helmet before running away to fine leg. The two batsmen rotate the strike between themselves for the remaining deliveries. Eight off the over.

FOUR! Short ball from de Grandhomme, and this one deflects off Shankar’s glove and helmet, before running away to the fine-leg boundary. IND 61/4

After 20 overs,India 57/4 ( Ambati Rayudu 12 , Vijay Shankar 20)

Seven off the over, with Rayudu collecting four of those off the third delivery with a well-timed pull towards the square-leg fence to collect his first boundary and boost his strike rate. India looking much better at the end of the 20th over than what they were 10 overs ago, thanks to some sensible batting between these two.

FOUR! Pulled away towards the square-leg fence by Rayudu, with the ball beating the diving fielder near the boundary rope. IND 55/4