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The India National Cricket Team won the fifth ODI against the New Zealand National Cricket Team on Sunday, November 15th, at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. They won the series 1-3, marking their first series win in New Zealand since the 2018/19 season. Arshdeep Singh was the Player of the Match for his excellent bowling performance in a low-scoring game.
Arshdeep Singh was happy with his bowling display and stated that about his engagement with Samreen Kaur, as he proposed the model while being in New Zealand in middle of the series. He also spoke about his love for batting and how his teammates tease him. This is the first time that the Men in Blue have done a series double in New Zealand.
Axar Patel and Ishan Kishan helps India go past 200
Mitchell Santner finally won the toss in the series as they opted to bowl first. The home side made two changes, bringing in Blair Tickner and Jacob Duffy for Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson. India also made two changes, as Yash Thakur made his debut, with Kuldeep Yadav sitting out and Mohammed Siraj coming into the side for Gurnoor Brar.
The Men in Blue did not have the expected start, as opener Rohit Sharma’s poor form continued as he was back for seven runs, Virat Kohli also failed in the game, having scored just five runs. India were struggling with 86/4 at one stage, and then a small partnership from Axar Patel and Ishan Kishan helped the side to go past 100 runs.
Axar and Kishan both scored 46 runs, respectively, as the Men in Blue posted a total of 209 runs, with some runs from the lower middle order and tailenders. Mitchell Santner and Jacob Duffy picked three wickets each to bundle India out inside 42 overs.
Arshdeep Singh the hero for India
While chasing, the Kiwis had a decent start, and Siraj gave the breakthrough, picking the dangerous Tim Seifert early. Then Arshdeep Singh came in the middle overs and built on the pressure, and it worked as the left-arm seamer first dismissed Will Young for 22 runs and soon another set batter, Nick Kelly, was also back for 24 runs; Arshdeep Singh picked both wickets.
Dean Foxcroft could have been dismissed early; however, Virat Kohli dropped a sitter of Arshdeep’s bowling. The batter was later out for 31 runs as debutant Yash Thakur took the wicket. Then the wickets kept tumbling as the Kiwis were bowled out for 187 runs, and Arshdeep Singh finished the match with figures of 3/30 in 10 overs.
"I love my batting": Arshdeep Singh on his batting
Arshdeep Singh won the Player of the Match award for his excellent bowling display. He was happy with the team’s performance and his performance in the final ODI game. The pacer was asked about his batting, and he revealed that he loves batting and, despite being teased by his teammates for being scared, he tries to hit the ball.
He said (as quoted by Cricbuzz), "[On his cameo] I love my batting. Even if I’m batting at eleven, I enjoy it. And always trying to create room for myself and smash it. But some people on my team say that I’m scared of the ball. But I take it. I create room."
"[Importance of the crucial 14 runs scored alongside Mohammed Siraj, batting at numbers ten and eleven] Yes, that’s the chat when we ended the batting as well. Siraj told me that these runs will be very crucial."
"I’ve got a really nice partner": Arshdeep Singh credits Samreen Kaur
Apart from that, Arshdeep was also asked how his personal life has been going after proposing to his girlfriend, Samreen Kaur, in between the series. He credited his fiancee, as she has been helpful to him on and off the field.
Arshdeep said, "[Personal life, change of franchise and engagement, and the support of his partner] I mean, God has been really grateful and kind to me. I’ve got a really nice partner. She’s very supportive and always helps me stay in the right mindset. So yes, a lot credit goes to her as well, the way I am on the field depends a lot on how I’m working off the field."
"So yes, it’s been very exciting and I’m loving it. [Engagement at Mount Maunganui beach and the memorable setting] Can’t ask for a better view to do that. I was pretty tense but yes, the view helped and it feels pretty nice."
