A brilliant 90 from Ambati Rayudu and useful contributions from Vijay Shankar and Hardik Pandya saved the blushes but the faulty technique of India’s top order against the moving ball was once again out in open as New Zealand bowled India out for 252 in the 5th and final ODI at Wellington.
If it wasn’t for the patience of Rayudu and the flair of Hardik Pandya towards the end then India could well have been short of a competitive total for the second time in the series. Pandya hit five sixes in his 22-ball stay in the middle to lift India’s total to 252. Pandya was holed out at square leg for 45 off just 22 balls, trying to hit a knee-high full toss for six as Boult took a brilliant catch running backwards.
Before Pandya’s heroics in the end, the Indian innings belonged to Rayudu, who missed his century after being holed out at deep cover for 90. Rayudu hit four sixes and 8 fours in his innings but there was reverse sweep he hit off Matt Henry in 42nd over that stood out.
India were 18 for 4 at one stage after New Zealand opening bowlers Matt Henry and Trent Boult ripped through India’s top-order when Rayudu forged a 98-run partnership with Vijay Shankar in what could turn out to a defining moment of the match.
Pacer Matt Henry was the standout bowler for the hosts, taking four wickets for 35 runs while Trent Boult picked up three for 39.
Boult, who took five wickets on Thursday, and Henry swung the ball at express pace and shared two wickets each to leave India reeling at 18 for four in seven overs. At that stage, another sub-100 total from India looked very much a possibility.
It was a combination of top-class fast bowling and questionable shot selection that led to the top-order failure. Rohit (2) was outdone by a beauty from Henry, the one that moved away from the middle stump line to dislodge the off-stump.
Dhoni (1), playing after the missing the last two games due to injury, was bowled by Boult, a peach of a delivery that swung back sharp and late to take the Indian wicketkeeper's off-stump. On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan slashed one hard to be caught at third man while the young Shubman Gill, getting his second game of the series, scooped a simple catch to the cover fielder.
Just when India looked down in the dumps, Rayudu and Shankar showed admirable fight to weather the storm and lead India's recovery. Initially, in the partnership, Shankar looked more comfortable while Rayudu focused on blocking. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder was sent ahead of Kedar Jadhav at number six, indicating the team management's faith in his abilities.
It was unfortunate for Shankar to miss out on well-deserved fifty as he got run out after a mix-up with Rayudu.
Rayudu at the other end began to play his strokes and hammered Colin de Grandhomme for two consecutive boundaries to bring up his 10th ODI fifty. A little later, he smashed Colin Munro for successive sixes before he perished after trying to hit another one out of the park. Rayudu's crucial knock comprised eight fours and four sixes.
Pandya took the centre stage after Rayudu's fall and once again showed what he brings to the table late the innings.
Pandya's brute power was on full display when he whacked leggie Todd Astle for three sixes in as many balls. The all-rounder did not even spare the in-form Boult, pulling him over midwicket for another maximum. His cameo included two fours and five sixes