India's misfiring batting seeks strong finish in Mount Maunganui
While both teams enter the game with reshaped bowling units, India's response after a massive 244-run defeat will be under scrutiny
"You're always concerned when you get bundled out for 90-odd. Why won't I be concerned? I will be concerned because, obviously, these are conditions which are going to be closest to what we might get during the World Cup."
Gautam Gambhir has made it clear that India's latest batting collapse is not something the team can simply move on from. But with the series still in their grasp, the focus now shifts to how they respond in the decider at Mount Maunganui.
Although India lead 2-1, their wins have been far from convincing, and the batting remains a concern. New Zealand, meanwhile, will look to build on their emphatic win in the fourth ODI and level the series. With the World Cup also on the horizon, the game offers both sides another opportunity to assess their combinations and personnel.
The teams will, however, take the field with reshaped bowling attacks. Matt Henry, whose six-wicket haul headlined New Zealand's win in the previous game, has been released for Test preparations, as has Kyle Jamieson. India will be without Gurnoor Brar, who has been added to the Test squad and will join the preparations in Wellington.
Henry's absence will be a significant boost for India as they look to put the previous game behind them and produce a more solid batting performance. New Zealand, on the other hand, will take confidence from Will Young's return to form and hope their other bowling options can step up in Henry's absence.
When: Sunday, November 15 at 3:00 PM local time (7:30 AM IST)
Where: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
What to expect: There was some assistance for the pacers throughout the fourth ODI, although Shreyas Iyer - the captain for the last two ODIs - pointed out that "there was a huge difference in the first innings and the second innings in terms of [the] wicket". The toss of the coin has gone India's way throughout the series and if it does again, it'll be interesting to see what choice they make. As far as the weather is concerned, it is set to be another clear day.
Team news:
New Zealand: With Henry and Jamieson unavailable for this match, Jacob Duffy and Blair Tickner could slot in.
Probable XI: Tim Seifert (wk), Will Young, Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kristian Clarke, Blair Tickner, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher.
India: With Brar leaving the team to join the Test preparations, Mohammed Siraj could come in his place. They could also look at a pace option in Yash Thakur to replace Kuldeep Yadav, who was off-colour in the previous game.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav/Yash Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
Did you know?
What they said:
"In the first 10 overs, you won't get 70-80. If you get 35-40 for no loss in 10, that is good enough. Because in India, the easiest time to bat is in the first 10-15 overs. Here, it’s probably the most difficult time" - Gautam Gambhir, India head coach.
