New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and chose to field first in the fifth and final ODI against India at Bay Oval on Sunday, setting up a series decider.
India lead the five-match series 2-1 after winning the first two games. The third match was washed out due to rain, while New Zealand bounced back emphatically in the fourth ODI, thrashing India by 244 runs at the same venue two days earlier.
India made two changes to their side. Right-arm seamer Yash Thakur was handed his ODI debut, becoming the 267th player to represent India in the format. He received his cap from all-rounder Axar Patel before the toss. Mohammed Siraj also returned to the playing XI. Gurnoor Brar was left out as he prepares for the upcoming Test series.
India’s playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur.
New Zealand’s playing XI: Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Will Young, Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Kristian Clarke, Blair Tickner, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher.
Pacers Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson were unavailable for the hosts as they shift focus to the two-Test series that begins on November 19.
India will look to seal a 3-1 series victory, while New Zealand aim to level the series at 2-2 and gain momentum ahead of the Tests. The day-night encounter is set for a 3:00 pm local start.
