India still leads the five-match series 2-1.
India and New Zealand meet in the fifth and final ODI at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on Sunday, November 15, with a 3 p.m. local start. India lead the series 2-1 after the third match was washed out. A win would seal the series for India; New Zealand need a victory to finish level.
The fourth ODI was a sharp reminder of how quickly this contest can turn. New Zealand posted 333, then bowled India out for 89 to win by 244 runs. Will Young led the way with 125 from 108 balls, while Matt Henry ripped through India with 6 for 27. India’s top order will want a much better start; Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer all fell for ducks in that match.
The longer ODI record still favours India: they have won 32 of 61 meetings, compared with New Zealand’s 23. But the hosts will take confidence from their latest performance, and the final game is set up for a proper decider feel.
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Match Winner.
Matt Henry’s best ever ODI figures and one of the greatest first overs in the history of one-day cricket.
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— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 13, 2026
Probable XIs (not confirmed until the toss)
India: Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj.
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Will Young, Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Josh Clarkson, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner.
Young is the obvious batting threat after his century, while Finn Allen’s quick 41 in the fourth ODI showed he can change the pace in a few overs. For India, Kohli and Rohit are the names to watch: both have the experience to answer a tough outing, and their first few overs could set the tone. Gurnoor Brar is unavailable for the final ODI, so Kuldeep Yadav and the remaining seamers will need to share the wicket-taking load.
My pick is India by a narrow margin. Their series lead and batting depth count for plenty, but New Zealand have the home crowd, momentum and a real chance if they strike early. If India’s top order settles in, they should finish the tour with the series win; if not, the Black Caps could level it.
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