IND vs NZ fifth ODI: Yash Thakur to debut for India; New Zealand elects to bowl
India’s five-match ODI series against New Zealand reached a climax in the final match at Mount Maunganui, where the hosts took an early lead after winning the first two games. New Zealand’s captain, Mitchell Santner, opted to bowl first following the toss, setting the stage for a tense finish after India’s dominant start to the series.
The visitors had already suffered a heavy 244-run defeat in the fourth ODI, leaving the stakes high for the decider on Sunday (November 15, 2026). India’s lineup included a notable debutant, right-arm seamer Yash Thakur, who will make his ODI bow in the match.
Meanwhile, key players like Gurnoor Brar for India and Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson for New Zealand were absent, as both teams prepared for the upcoming two-Test series starting November 19. The match featured a star-studded Indian batting lineup, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer, while New Zealand’s side was led by Santner with Tim Seifert and Michael Bracewell among the key performers.
