Arshdeep Singh shines as India defeats New Zealand in series‑deciding ODI

Arshdeep Singh stole the spotlight in the series‑deciding ODI at Mount Maunganui, where India posted a target of 210 and then dismissed New Zealand for 187, winning by 22 runs and sealing a 3‑1 series triumph.

New Zealand’s innings unraveled quickly. Early wickets fell when Tim Seifert was out for 14 and Will Young, who had a fifty in the first match, could manage only 22 off 42 balls. Arshdeep Singh’s incisive bowling saw Nic Kelly bowled on 24, and Dean Foxcroft was caught after a 31‑run knock.

After stabilising at 82‑3, the Black Caps could not rebuild. Finn Allen fell to a first‑ball catch by Mohammad Siraj for a single, while Michael Bracewell’s 19 was ended by Akib Nabi. Captain Mitchell Santner paired with Christian Clark for a 39‑run stand for the seventh wicket, but Naman Dhir broke the partnership by dismissing Santner for 24.

India’s bowling unit delivered a masterclass. Arshdeep Singh’s ten‑over spell yielded three wickets for just 30 runs. Mohammad Siraj and Akshar Patel each claimed two scalps, and Akib Nabi, Yash Thakur and Naman Dhir added one wicket each.

On the batting front, India’s top order faltered. Rohit Sharma contributed 7, Virat Kohli managed 5, and Ruturaj Gaikwad added 18 before being caught by Jacob Duffy. Shreyas Iyer’s 22 was the only half‑century, while the pivotal partnership between Akshar Patel (46 off 55) and Ishan Kishan (46 off 58, with three fours and two sixes) produced 52 runs for the fourth wicket.

In the final overs, Siraj remained unbeaten on 11, and a quick 14‑run blitz from Arshdeep Singh off four deliveries pushed India past the 200‑run barrier. New Zealand’s bowlers – Jacob Duffy (3 wickets), Mitchell Santner (3 for 47) and Matthew Fisher (2 wickets) – could not contain the chase.

The 22‑run victory sealed a 3‑1 series win for India, highlighting the impact of Arshdeep Singh’s spell and the depth of the side across both departments.