India vs New Zealand, Highlights, Vizag ODI: Hosts win series 3-2

MS Dhoni: One of the best performances by the bowlers. This was one game where the spinners bowled with a lot of assistance. They bowled well throughout the series, but this game was exception. There was a bit of dew, but what was important was the pace at which they bowl. The beauty is that he (Mishra) bowls slow. It was beautiful the way he controls his flight, and operates with Axar. Virat was superb to start off. We got off to a good start. Once he (Rohit) got out, he gave us some kind of momentum. What’s important was to respect the conditions. Considering the dew factor, one has to get extra runs on the board. Im quite glad we were able to rest some of the key players. Specially the batters lower down the order got a chance. There is a plenty they would have learnt out of this series. It was time to focus on the youngsters for them to turn into a complete product. In the international arena, there are times when you fail, and start respecting cricket a little more. 

Kane Williamson: Was a lot above par. India were outstanding, and certainly deserve the series win. Whether you win or lose, you certainly expect to put out a tough performance. Today we were terrible. To lose 8 for 20 on any surface is unacceptable. I suppose when you play one of the best sides in the world in such conditions, there are is a lot to learn. A lot of positives. Test series was extremely tough. Guys showed a lot of heart on tricky surfaces in the ODIs, coming off heavy defeats. Number of individuals as well, who got a lot out of the exposure on these surfaces, such as Tom Latham and Mitchell Santner. 

Amit Mishra: Great deal for the Indian team. My team supported me well. Was a bit tense initially, before MS calmed me down. The wicket had some bounce and spin, and the ball was stopping a bit. Anil Bhai told me before the match to focus on the flighted delivery. Axar has always been bowling well, and he has been helping in getting breakthroughs. Hope it continues that way. Im happy the way Im bowling. All credit to coaches and my team-mates. 

Amit Mishra wins the ‘Man of the Match’ as well as the ‘Man of the Series’ awards for this series! 

New Zealand’s tour of India, in which they were beginning to produce a valiant fightback in the ODI series, have been given a cruel send-off back home! The Indians, for once, did not just have to rely on Virat Kohli alone to guide them to a win. Not only did Rohit Sharma find form for the first time in the ODI series, and the lower-order duo of Jadhav-Axar guide India to 270, but the spinners rallied together to run through the New Zealand middle and lower-order! India finally win their first bilateral series against a side other than Zimbabwe since November 2014.

Think @MishiAmit might well have said to @anilkumble1074 when he waved to him "Anil bhai, test match?"

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 29, 2016

Jayant Yadav: Obviously its a very proud moment to represent your country in any sport. My mom Lakshmi she’s no more. To my mom Jyoti sitting at home, sorry about the mix-up (Referring to only one name being printed on the shirt). Don’t know what happened. Wicket was gripping. Initially was a bit nervous.

Rohit Sharma: Good to get some runs. It was important. One of the top batters to bat as long as possible the wicket was not playing so well. It was important to get a partnership. In the end, we were glad to get to 270, wjhich I thought was a good score. We played some IPL games here, and I spoke to myself of how to bat on this wicket, as this is not the typical Vizag wicket. It was important to get a decent partnership, which me and Virat got, and in the end Kedar and Axar got it. I did not play more than 20 balls in the first four games. I adjusted according to the conditions, and played accordingly. Hats off to Mishra, he has been playing well in this series. 

After 23.1 overs, New Zealand 79 all out ( Trent Boult 1);  India win by 190 runs!

That’s it! Axar walks in, and gets the last wicket, with Santner unable to tackle the low bounce, as India complete an emphatic 190-run victory! New Zealand have been bundled out for a paltry 79, which was exactly the score that India were bowled out for in the lost WT20 match earlier this year! India win the series 3-2! 

Mitchell Santner b Axar Patel 4(10)

Most wkts for IND in a 5 match series:
18 A Mishra v Zim, 2013
14 A MISHRA v NZ *
13 A Kumble v Pak, 1996
12 Harbhajan v Eng, 2006#INDvNZ

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) October 29, 2016

After 22 overs,New Zealand 76/9 ( Mitchell Santner 2 , Trent Boult 0 ); need 194 from 28 overs

OUT! Tossed up from Mishra, SOdhi tries to heave away towards midwicket. Ends up top-edging it behind the keeper, where Rahane takes a simple catch! And that’s Mishra’s fifth wicket! Gets three slips for Trent Boult, the last man in. 

Ish Sodhi c Ajinkya Rahane b Amit Mishra 0(5)

After 21 overs,New Zealand 76/8 ( Mitchell Santner 2 , Ish Sodhi 0 ); need 194 from 29 overs

Jayant bowls his third over, with each delivery appearing to be a potential wicket. Just two wickets left for the hosts to complete a series win, and for all we know, Mishra could end the game in the very next over.

After 20 overs,New Zealand 74/8 ( Mitchell Santner 0 , Ish Sodhi 0 ); need 196 from 30 overs

BOWLED EM! Mishra with another ripper of a delivery! The Indian spinners are wreaking havoc on the Black Caps right now! Crashes through a clueless Neesham’s defence to rattle his stumps, with the latter beaten by flight and drift! 

OUT! Mishra gets his fourth wicket! Southee looks to drive through the covers, is beaten by extra-turn, and gets his backfoot out of the crease. All Dhoni needs is a fraction of a second to whip the bails off! When MSD is confident, you know for a fact that that means the end for the batsman! 

Corey Anderson lbw Jayant Yadav 0(7); Tim Southee st MS Dhoni b Amit Mishra 0(4)

After 19 overs,New Zealand 74/6 ( Jimmy Neesham 3 , Mitchell Santner 0 ); need 196 from 31 overs

DROPPED! Rahane fails to grab a reaction catch in the slips, denying Jayant what would have been his maiden ODI wicket. Jayant however, achieves the milestone later in the over by trapping Anderson plumb lbw for a seven-ball duck. 

Corey Anderson lbw Jayant Yadav 0(7)

After 18 overs,New Zealand 73/5 ( Jimmy Neesham 2 , Corey Anderson 0 ); need 197 from 32 overs

Mishra keeps Anderson on the backfoot throughout, starting with a big appeal for lbw. Anderson struggles to pick the turn, especially the googlies. Mishra concedes five wides in the final delivery, with the ball running down the leg side.

After 17 overs,New Zealand 68/5 ( Jimmy Neesham 2 , Corey Anderson 0 ); need 202 from 33 overs

Debutant Jayant Yadav is handed the ball for the 17th over. Gives away just a couple of runs off it, with Neesham getting off the mark in the process. The Black Caps face a massive defeat, unless the all-rounder duo produce something magical here!

After 16 overs,New Zealand 66/5 ( Jimmy Neesham 0 , Mitchell Santner ); need 204 from 34 overs

OUT! The Black Caps have lost two quick wickets now! Taylor, who was looking to go for a late cut towards third-man, getting caught behind to bring the curtains down on what truly was a horror tour for him. Too many wickets lost for the Black Caps already.

BOWLED EM! Two wickets in this over for Mishra, and suddenly the spinners are starting to wreak havoc for the Black Caps! Googly from Mishy goes straight through Watling’s defence, who anticipates a leg-break and prods his bat forward! 

And its drinks at the centre now. 

Ross Taylor c MS Dhoni b Amit Mishra 19(32); BJ Watling b Amit Mishra 0(2)

After 15 overs,New Zealand 64/3 ( Ross Taylor 17 , Jimmy Neesham 0 ); need 206 from 35 overs

OUT! Axar strikes! Lures Williamson into going for a lofted drive towards deep extra-cover, which the New Zealand skipper executes quite well. Just that Kedar Jadhav runs to his left, and completes a well-judged catch! 

Kane Williamson c Kedar Jadhav b Axar Patel 27(40)

After 14 overs,New Zealand 62/2 ( Kane Williamson 27 , Ross Taylor 15 ); need 208 from 36 overs

Five singles off the over, with Williamson and Taylor starting to build a steady partnership right now. One that is starting to bother Dhoni.

After 13 overs,New Zealand 57/2 ( Kane Williamson 25 , Ross Taylor 12 ); need 213 from 37 overs

Williamson carves out a cut off the fourth ball of Axar’s third over. Managed to cut that with precision despite getting cramped for room.

After 12 overs,New Zealand 53/2 ( Kane Williamson 21 , Ross Taylor 12 ); need 217 from 38 overs

Amit Mishra into the attack now, with spin being deployed from both ends now. Fifty up for th Black Caps in this over, and it has been a hard-fought one for them.

After 11 overs,New Zealand 47/2 ( Kane Williamson 19 , Ross Taylor 8 ); need 223 from 39 overs

Axar into his 2nd over. Plenty of turn on offer for Axar. Tidy over for the hosts, with just a single coming off it. Meanwhile, Williamson and Taylor will have to improve the communication between them, with two mix-ups already occuring between them in the innings so far.

After 10 overs,New Zealand 46/2 ( Kane Williamson 19 , Ross Taylor 7 ); need 224 from 40 overs

Taylor cuts the third ball of the over through cover point in a powerful stroke. Another mix-up between Taylor and Williamson in the fifth ball, with the latter surviving for a second time so far.  End of powerplay. New Zealand at par with India’s progress at this stage.

After 9 overs,New Zealand 40/2 ( Kane Williamson 18 , Ross Taylor 2 ); need 230 from 41 overs

Axar introduced into the attack, with spin being introduced in the ninth over. Brilliant piece of fielding by Kohli at mid-off, diving forward not only to save a couple of runs for India, but nearly effecting a run-out of Williamson at the non-striker’s end with an acrobatic pick-and-throw. Had that hit the timber, Williamson would have been out by a mile.

After 8 overs,New Zealand 38/2 ( Kane Williamson 17 , Ross Taylor 1 ); need 232 from 42 overs

Tight over by Bumrah, giving away just one run off it. Williamson and Taylor find themselves in a bit of a pickle right now, and will have to bat sensibly for some time now.

Back to back boundaries for Williamson through the covers, front foot - then back foot. All class. 37-2, 7 overs #INDvNZ ^WN

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 29, 2016

After 7 overs,New Zealand 37/2 ( Kane Williamson 17 , Ross Taylor 0 ); need 233 from 43 overs

The crowd has really found its volume right now, with both the openers heading back to the pavilion for low scores, and the hosts displaying athletic fielding. FOUR! Williamson eases some pressure off his back with an elegant cover drive! Cuts the next delivery, a pitched up delivery, through cover point! Nine off the over.

After 6 overs,New Zealand 28/2 ( Kane Williamson 9 , Ross Taylor 0 ); need 242 from 44 overs

OUT! Bumrah strikes in the last ball of his third over, and manages to remove an increasingly dangerous-looking Tom Latham. Heading down the leg-side, the ball stopped on Latham, who gets a top-edge to mid-on, where Jayant Yadav takes the catch. Latham’s successful tour of India comes to a disappointing end! 

Tom Latham c Jayant Yadav b Jasprit Bumrah 19(17)

After 5 overs,New Zealand 27/1 ( Tom Latham 19 , Kane Williamson 8 ); need 243 from 45 overs

Umesh starts off by sending a short one down Latham’s leg-side, which the southpaw glances down towards fine-leg, with the fielder failing to stop the boundary despite a valiant dive. Follows it up a couple of deliveries later with a solid punch though extra-cover! What a shot! Umesh unsuccessfully appeals for an lbw in the last ball of the over. Another good over for the Black Caps, with two boundaries coming off it.

After 4 overs,New Zealand 19/1 ( Tom Latham 11 , Kane Williamson 8 ); need 251 from 46 overs

Williamson finally unleashes a backfoot punch in the penultimate ball over the ball, sending the ball scurrying through extra-cover. Exuded class in that shot!

After 3 overs,New Zealand 15/1 ( Tom Latham 11 , Kane Williamson 4 ); need 255 from 47 overs

Latham punches the third ball between midwicket and mid-on. FOUR! Latham ends the over with a flick towards backward square-leg. Good over for the Black Caps, with eight coming off it.

After 2 overs,New Zealand 7/1 ( Tom Latham 3 , Kane Williamson 4 ); need 263 from 48 overs

Bumrah into the attack, having recovered in time for this match after having missed out in the previous game. Superb piece of fielding by substitute Mandeep Singh in the second ball of the over. Latham flicks the fourth ball, which stops on him, over the square-leg fielder’s head. Four off the over, with the Indians starting off on an electric note.

After 1 over,New Zealand 3/1 ( Tom Latham 0 , Kane Williamson 3 ); need 267 to win from 49 overs

We’re back with the action after the innings break. Umesh starts the proceedings off for the hosts! BOWLED EM! Umesh rattles Guptill’s off-stump with a late outswinger, and for the second time in the series manages to rattle his off-stump! India strike early, as Guptill signs out of the Indian tour with a four-ball duck! 

Martin Guptill b Umesh Yadav 0(4)

Meanwhile in Ranji Trophy!

At Stumps on Day 3 in Ranji Trophy:

Yuvraj Singh: 179* in 253 Balls

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) October 29, 2016

Kedar Jadhav: I guess its always an instinctive game I play. There was no pace in the wicket. So we needed to reconsider our target. We initially were targetting 290-300, but once the ball started turning, we revised it to 270. We have three quality spinners, and me also. When you prepare in the nets, I start playing my shots. In the match, I have to go from the first ball of the innings. Its a good total, we have to bowling to defend it, but we need to put up a good fight. 

After 50 overs,India 269/6 ( Kedar Jadhav 39 , Jayant Yadav 1 )

Boult bowls the final over. Axar hammers the first ball down towards long-on, getting a single. SIX! Jadhav times the next one to perfection, coming down the track and clearing the long-on boundary! Tries a similar shot in the next one, but inside-edges it down towards mid-on to canter off for a single. BOWLED! Boult deceives Axar with a brilliant delivery — a slower one that is pitched on full length. Axar plays this one on to his leg-stump while looking to guide it down to third man. Valuable innings nevertheless. Debutant Jayant Yadav gets off the mark in the first delivery of his international career. Jadhav sends the final ball towards long-on while looking for another big hit, getting a quick double nevertheless. 11 runs off the over, and India set a 270-run target for the Black Caps. 

Axar Patel b Trent Boult 24(18)

After 49 overs,India 258/5 ( Kedar Jadhav 30 , Axar Patel 23 )

Final over for Southee. He has bowled well in the death overs so far. Jadhav pulls hard, connecting to the slower one from Southee, though he only manages to get a single. Axar smacks the next one over the umpire’s head, taking his time in getting underneath the off-cutter. 11 from the India. Can India get to 270 from here?

After 48 overs,India 247/5 ( Kedar Jadhav 28 , Axar Patel 14 )

Axar attempts to up the ante with a slog down towards long-off, but the miscued shot lands near the long-on fielder, giving him a couple of runs. Six off the over. India close in the 250-run mark with two overs left.

After 47 overs,India 241/5 ( Kedar Jadhav 26 , Axar Patel 10 )

Southee into his penultimate over. Jadhav pulls hard in the first ball, and would have got a boundary had it not been for a brilliant save by Guptill at deep square-leg. Southee bowls consecutive slow bouncers, which Jadhav fails to pick.

After 46 overs,India 236/5 ( Kedar Jadhav 22 , Axar Patel 9 )

Neesham to bowl his sixth over. Interesting variation in his deliveries, bowling a slow bouncer to beat Jadhav’s attempted scoop. Five runs off the over, with the two at the crease struggling to get quick runs on the board right now.

After 45 overs,India 231/5 ( Kedar Jadhav 18 , Axar Patel 8 )

Anderson back into the attack. With Kohli’s dismissal, the lower inexperienced middle-order has been exposed once again. It will be another test of their temperament today. Axar glances the last ball of the over down towards fine-leg boundary.

After 44 overs,India 223/5 ( Kedar Jadhav 16 , Axar Patel 2 )

OUT! Kohli will be livid with that shot, throwing his wicket away at a time when the hosts needed him to stick to the crease all the way till the end of the innings. Looking to attack the spinners, Kohli got to the pitch of the ball, but did not execute the shot properly. Guptill takes a safe catch near the wide long-off boundary. 

Virat Kohli c Martin Guptill b Ish Sodhi 65 (76)

After 43 overs,India 220/4 ( Virat Kohli 65 , Kedar Jadhav 15 )

Kohli slaps the second ball of the over, coming down the track to a short delivery, executing an awkward pull towards mid-on for a single. Jadhav smashes the next ball down the ground past mid-off for his second boundary. Eight off the over.

After 42 overs,India 212/4 ( Virat Kohli 63 , Kedar Jadhav 9 )

Santner into his final over. He has been the most economical in the Black Caps attack today, and will look to sign out that way. Jadhav brings up his first boundary of the innings with a cut towards backward point in the third ball. Eight off the over.

After 41 overs,India 204/4 ( Virat Kohli 60 , Kedar Jadhav 4 )

Southee returns to the attack. Kohli takes a quick single to bring up the 200 up for India. Super running between the wickets to squeeze out a quick double a couple of deliveries later.

After 40 overs,India 199/4 ( Virat Kohli 58 , Kedar Jadhav 1 )

Jadhav walks out to bat, with Santner bowling his penultimate over. India suddenly find themselves in a bit of situation here, where they need quick runs right now if they are to reach striking distance of 300.

After 39 overs,India 196/4 ( Virat Kohli 56 , Kedar Jadhav 0 )

OUT! India starting to lose quick wickets now. Pandey looks to clear the midwicket boundary, but doesn’t get enough power on the shot. Boult takes an easy catch near the boundary. Pandey disappoints yet again. 

Manish Pandey c Trent Boult b Ish Sodhi 0(5)

After 38 overs,India 190/3 ( Virat Kohli 50 , Manish Pandey 0 )

India lose their third wicket after Dhoni is trapped plumb lbw by Santner while looking to go for the sweep. Tossed up and pitching between middle and off, the ball moves away from the batsman with decent bounce, and would’ve gone on to hit the off-stump. Dhoni falls nine short of a half-century. 

MS Dhoni lbw Mitchell Santner 41(59)

FIFTY FOR VIRAT KOHLI! The man does it again, both in this series as well as at Vizag! His 38th ODI fifty, and he gets 62 deliveries. 

After 37 overs,India 189/2 ( Virat Kohli 49 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 41)

Boult bowls his eighth. Just three off the over, including a bye that deflects off keeper Watling’s right pad, allowing the duo to get a quick one.

After 36 overs,India 186/2 ( Virat Kohli 47 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 41)

Both batsmen well set in the 40s right now. Santner returns to the attack, and produces another economical over, giving away just three off it.

After 35 overs,India 183/2 ( Virat Kohli 45 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 40)

Boult returns to the attack. Meanwhile, the ball is not coming on to the bat nicely for the batsmen, given the slowness of this track. Kohli lobs the first ball up in the air towards midwicket, where he manages to get a single.

After 34 overs,India 178/2 ( Virat Kohli 42 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 38)

Anderson back into the attack. Dhoni lobs the ball back to the bowler in the third delivery, but the all-rounder manages to get his fingers to graze the ball after an athletic dive to his right. Dhoni pulls the next one towards square-leg.

After 33 overs,India 172/2 ( Virat Kohli 42 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 32)

FIFTY partnership up between Dhoni and Kohli for the third wicket! This is turning out to be another vital stand for the hosts, although there were a couple of dropped chances along the way. The Indian skipper brings up the milestone with a pull towards backward square-leg. 

300+ runs in an ODI bilateral series on most occasions:

4 - Rahul Dravid
4 - Quinton de Kock
4 - VIRAT KOHLI*#INDvNZ

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) October 29, 2016

After 32 overs,India 165/2 ( Virat Kohli 41 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 26)

SIX! Smacked over the long-off rope for a flat six by Dhoni! He is connecting quite well in this innings, though the big hits are coming in occasionally. Seven off the over.

After 31 overs,India 158/2 ( Virat Kohli 41 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 19)

Return of pace into the attack, with Southee bowling his second spell of the innings. Four off the over. Meanwhile, Kohli is nearing his fifty right now. And its drinks.

MSD's average:
No.2 - 49 (2 inns)
No.3 - 82.75 (16)
No.4 - 59.15* (26)
No.5 - 52.72 (59)
No.6 - 45.16 (112)
No.7 - 47.76 (28)
No.8 - 17 (3)

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) October 29, 2016

After 30 overs,India 154/2 ( Virat Kohli 40 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 16)

SIX! First big hit of the innings for Kohli! The star batsman comes down the track, gets to the pitch of the delivery, and smashes it high into the orbit straight over the umpire’s head. Sodhi leaks more runs when Dhoni smashes the ball down the ground in a flat four. 11 off the over. India bring up the 150 in the over.

After 29 overs,India 143/2 ( Virat Kohli 33 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 12)

Dhoni brings up the first boundary in the innings since the 21st over, executing a sweep towards the vacant backward square-leg region. Meanwhile the ball undergoing heavy turn, along with a plenty of bounce. Wonder how the Indian spinners will use that later.

After 28 overs,India 137/2 ( Virat Kohli 28 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 7)

The scoring rate has suffered in a big way since Rohit’s departure, with less than 20 runs being scored in the last six overs or so. Will build the pressure up on these two and the middle order if they don’t start scoring now.

After 27 overs,India 134/2 ( Virat Kohli 31 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 5)

Kohli nearly suffers a run-out in this over, after Dhoni scampers off for a quick single. Substitute fielder Bracewell is quick to collect the ball near backward square-leg. Had he managed to effect a direct hit at the striker’s end, Kohli would’ve been well short of his crease.

After 26 overs,India 132/2 ( Virat Kohli 25 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 9)

Sodhi bowling from the other end. Dhoni has got rid of his helmet, and the cap is out. Five runs in the over. Meanwhile, Kohli and Dhoni, are yet to settle at the crease.

After 25 overs,India 127/2 ( Virat Kohli 24 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 5)

Santner returns to the attack, and it looks like we’re gonna have spin from both ends right now. Three runs in the over.

The match in which MS Dhoni scored 148 was the first ODI at this ground in Vizag! #IndvsNZ

— Nishad Pai Vaidya (@NishadPaiVaidya) October 29, 2016

After 24 overs,India 124/2 ( Virat Kohli 23 , MS Dhoni (C) (W) 3)

Sodhi returns to the attack, with Kohli and Dhoni dealing in singles at the moment. Dhoni uses a hard bottom-hand in his slash towards extra-cover in the first boundary, though the long-off fielder prevents the boundary by running to his left.

After 22 overs,India 119/2 ( Virat Kohli 21 , )

Rohit miscues the fifth ball of the over towards deep midwicket, where the ball lands just short of Neesham. The next delivery sees a replay of the previous, with Rohit getting a top-edge off another pull. This time, Neesham collects the ball near the rope. India lose their second wicket with 119 on board, as Rohit departs 30 short of his 11th century. 

Rohit Sharma c Jimmy Neesham b Trent Boult 70(65)

After 21 overs,India 115/1 ( Rohit Sharma 67 , Virat Kohli 20)

Neesham into the attack now. FOUR! Late cut by Rohit, which finds the gap between short third man and backward point. DROPPED! Taylor drops yet another catch in this series, and his woes just doesn’t seem to end! Rohit swings his bat towards short-midwicket, with Taylor lunging to his right for a regulation catch, but ends up spilling it. Oh dear!

After 20 overs,India 110/1 ( Rohit Sharma 62 , Virat Kohli 20)

Boult back into the attack, replacing Sodhi. Six singles in the over, with Rohit finding it increasingly difficult to run between the wickets.

FIFTY! @ImRo45 brings up his 29th ODI half century @Paytm ODI Trophy #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/OeiVhGBiyR

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 29, 2016

After 19 overs,India 104/1 ( Rohit Sharma 59 , Virat Kohli 17)

FOUR! Kohli smacks the first ball of Anderson’s second over through the covers. Rohit tries pulling the fourth ball in an attempt to clear the ropes again, but gets an inside edge towards long-leg, where Sodhi’s athletic dive saves two runs for the Black Caps. Nine off the over.

After 18 overs,India 95/1 ( Rohit Sharma 56 , Virat Kohli 11)

Rohit seems to have hurt himself a little during the dive towards the non-striker’s end. Given the resurgence he has shown in this innings, this could be highly unfortunate for him. Gets to his half-century in style, going for a cut towards point to reach the milestone in 49 deliveries. Ends the over with a lusty blow towards midwicket. Meanwhile, the fifty partnership is also up for Rohit and Kohli in this over!

FIFTY FOR ROHIT SHARMA! His 29th ODI fifty, and he gets there in 49 deliveries, going for a cut in the third ball of the over! 

After 17 overs,India 85/1 ( Rohit Sharma 46 , Virat Kohli 11)

All-rounder Anderson, who returns into the attack in Devcich’s place, is given the ball for the first time in this series. Rohit has to dive to make it to the non-striker’s end after setting off for a quick single in the third delivery. Third umpire rules him not-out though. Four runs off the over.

Good to see that Rohit Sharma has a reasonably brisk start. Can be very dangerous from here

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 29, 2016

After 16 overs,India 81/1 ( Rohit Sharma 44 , Virat Kohli 9)

DROPPED! Kohli survives on 8, smacking the ball straight to the bowler, who fails to grab the reflex catch. Was too quick, but then such opportunities don’t always come your way, especially if its is Kohli. SIX! Rohit smashes the fifth ball for a straight six, before ending the over with a couple of runs off a late-cut. Rohit is now a big hit away from his 29th ODI fifty.

After 15 overs,India 71/1 ( Rohit Sharma 35 , Virat Kohli 8)

Kohli takes a single in the second ball of the over to complete 300 runs in this series. Four singles in this over, with India reaching 71. Meanwhile, the broadcasters are obsessing themselves over Kohli’s slip at the non-striker’s end, which occurred in Sodhi’s first over.

After 14 overs,India 67/1 ( Rohit Sharma 33 , Virat Kohli 6)

Sodhi introduced into the attack for the first time this innings. Rohit goes for a slog sweep in the fifth ball of the over towards the vacant backward square region.

After 13 overs,India 59/1 ( Rohit Sharma 26 , Virat Kohli 5)

Rohit and Virat deal in singles in this over, despite connecting well for their cover drives and cuts. Kohli nearly offers a return catch to the bowler in the last ball of the over.

9 out of 10 times (Rohit still batting here) Indian openers have fallen to pacers in this series. Not lasting long enough. #IndvNZ

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) October 29, 2016

After 10 overs,India 45/1 ( Rohit Sharma 17 , Virat Kohli 1)

OUT! Neesham strikes once again, and Rahane disappoints yet again after getting off to a good start! Chips it straight to short midwicket, where Latham holds on to the catch. Departs for a 39-ball 20. Big cheer for Kohli once he walks out to bat, getting off the mark in his second delivery. Rohit ends the powerplay with a slice over backward point. 

Ajinkya Rahane c Tom Latham b Jimmy Neesham 20(39)

After 9 overs,India 39/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 20 , Rohit Sharma 12)

Southee to bowl the ninth. Looks like Neesham’s introduction was to provide an opportunity to the new-ball bowlers to change ends. Rohit goes for the offensive, launching the short delivery from Southee towards midwicket, although he is only about to fetch a quick double.

After 8 overs,India 35/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 19 , Rohit Sharma 9)

FOUR! Rahane goes for the lofted drive over extra-cover off a slower one from Boult! His shot selection has been impressive so far. Five wides a couple of deliveries later, with the ball going down Rahane’s leg side. 12 runs off the over.

After 7 overs,India 23/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 13 , Rohit Sharma 8)

First bowling change of the day, with Neesham getting introduced into the attack in the seventh over. Concedes a wide in the second ball of his over. Five runs scored in the over, including a wide. 

The all-rounder had struck for skipper Williamson twice in the previous game, getting the important wickets of Rahane and Dhoni. Can he continue his partnership-breaking feat in this game as well?

After 6 overs,India 18/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 11 , Rohit Sharma 6)

Rahane goes for a massive heave over mid-on, but gets an inside-edge onto his pads. Another tight over for the Black Caps, with just one coming off it. Has been a slow start for the Indians, despite Rahane trying to accelerate the innings with a few ambitious drives.

After 5 overs,India 17/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 11 , Rohit Sharma 5)

For the first time in this series, Rahane plays the role of the aggressor. Goes for the pull in the third delivery, only to get a single due to a fielder being positioned at square-leg. A tidy over for New Zealand, with just threecoming off it.

After 3 overs,India 13/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 9 , Rohit Sharma 4)

FOUR! Rohit comes down the track, and smashes the length delivery from Southee over mid-off to get off the mark. Big appeal for an lbw in the last delivery, though it would have missed the leg-stump.

After 2 overs,India 9/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 9 , Rohit Sharma 0)

While Rohit is yet to face a delivery in this match, Rahane gets his second boundary, this time going for an expansive drive through the covers.

#TeamIndia sporting their mothers' names on the jersey in the 5th and final ODI #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/pWcMAKMchB

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 29, 2016

After 1 overs,India 5/0 ( Ajinkya Rahane 5 , Rohit Sharma 0)

So Rahane and Rohit bat for the first time in broad daylight. Rahane starts off with a cut towards the point boundary in the second ball of the innings. Single to end the over. Meanwhile, Southee is getting a bit of movement at the start of the innings.

'Mother's contribution' as important as a soldier's, says India Captain @msdhoni during the toss #Sandesh2Mothers #Sandesh2Soldiers pic.twitter.com/4vRrq1IWtH

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 29, 2016

Proud moment for Jayant Yadav as he receives his ODI cap from batting great @virendersehwag @Paytm ODI Trophy #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/i2rzE99e8u

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 29, 2016

Hardik Pandya dropped

Jasprit Bumrah and Jayant Yadav replace Dhawal Kulkarni and Hardik Pandya

Live: https://t.co/yIQvmI9bMn#INDvNZ

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) October 29, 2016

India Lineup

India XI: Rohit, Rahane, Kohli, Dhoni (c,wk), Pandey, Jadhav, Axar, Jayant, Mishra, Umesh, Bumrah

New Zealand Lineup

NZ XI: Latham, Guptill, Kane (c), Taylor, Neesham, Watling, Anderson, Santner, Southee, Sodhi, Boult

New Zealand team news

One change for the Kiwis as Corey Anderson comes in for Anton Devcich

India team news

MS Dhoni reveals that Jasprit Bumrah is fit and is back in the Indian squad. Jayant Yadav will also make his debut.

TOSS: MS Dhoni wins the toss and elects to bat!

There will be a bit of swing because of the humidity but after that it should be a good pitch to bat on, says captain MS Dhoni.

Best bowling performance by a spinner in this #IndvNZ ODI series
for India: 3/29 - Kedar Jadhav 😱
for New Zealand: 2/6 - Martin Guptill 😱

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) October 29, 2016

Vizag will be hosting an ODI after a gap of two years and Kane Williamson will have the unique distinction of becoming the first Kiwi captain to win a bilateral series in the Indian subcontinent, if New Zealand are able to pull of a victory today.

Good Afternoon!

Hello and welcome to FirstpostSports’ liveblog on the India vs New Zealand Vizag ODI. The series stands at 2-2 and an under-fire MS Dhoni is looking to champion India to a series clincher against the Kiwis. Local pitch expert K Nagamaliiah predicts a batting paradise. 

New Zealand will be confident after their comeback in this series. Martin Guptill in particular is looking to get back to the best of his ways after last match’s Man of the Match performance.All in all, it looks like a cracking series decider and may the best team win!