New Zealand vs India IND in NZ, 5 ODIs, 2026

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Softened up with the short ball before the fuller one did the damage. Matt Henry finishes with career-best figures of 6/27 as New Zealand hand India a crushing 244-run defeat. Cross-seam ball, fuller in length, bowled at 127.3 kph, in line with the off stump, from around the stump. Brar hangs low and has a tentative prod at the ball. He plays down the wrong line and the ball sneaks past the outside edge to crash into the off stump.

That will hurt! Henry digs it in short and angles it into the left-hander. Brar looks to fend it away but takes his eyes off the ball, and one hand also comes off the bat handle. The ball pings Brar on the right shoulder but he does not show any grimace.

Outside off, on a length. Gurnoor pokes away from his body and is beaten past the outside edge.

Keeps it around the off pole, on a good length. Fisher plays for the ball that angles into him but this straightens a bit to go past the outside edge.

Wide! A bumper by Henry but this sails over the batter's head. Brar ducks under it.

How did that miss the stumps? Matthew Fisher can't believe it and his hands on his head. Fisher attacks the stumps with a good-length ball. Singh premeditates as he walks across to the off side and has a swipe across the line. The ball bounces a bit more to go over the sticks.

Wide! Following the batter with a back-of-a-length delivery. Arshdeep has a swing at it but misses. Tim Seifert flings himself to his right and gathers it superbly.

After pushing the batter back with the short ball, Fisher comes up with a yorker, but it is not at the stumps, landing well outside the line of the leg stump. Arshdeep backs away to jam it down but the ball sneaks under the blade.

Another ball dug into the deck, on middle. Arshdeep backs away and attempts to drag the pull. Gets a bottom edge as it trickles behind towards the keeper.

Going away with the angle, on a short of a length. Gurnoor guides it from the crease to the right of backward point for a single.

Wide! A bit fuller and down leg. Brar looks to pick it up off the pads but misses.

Hits the bat hard, on off. Brar is hurried and gets into a bit of a tangle as he dabs it down.

At 141 kph, on a hard length at the ribs. Brar leans inside the line and fends it off whilst taking the bottom hand off the bat handle. Brar had got right in Tim Seifert's face while celebrating his wicket earlier in the day, and the Kiwi opener is now giving it back. Seifert can be heard saying, No talk now!

Bashes the hard length, on off. Brar rises up on his toes and glides it down to deep third for a single.

Hits the back of a length, on off. Brar rides the bounce and drops it down on the off side.

Switches to over the wicket and this is pushed across the off stump, on a back of a length. Gurnoor looks to cover the line to defend, but the ball jags away to go past the blade.

Wide! Dug in way too short, over middle. Brar leaves it alone as the ball sails over his head.

Sticks to the short ball, on middle. Brar gets his hands high to fend it down. It drops off the inner half well away from the reach of Will Young at short leg to his left.

Bends his back and digs it in short, it flies past the right shoulder as Brar ducks inside the line.

Into the wicket, nibbling away, on off. Brar has a tentative push at the ball and is beaten past the outside edge.

Arshdeep Singh is the last man in. New Zealand are now on course to register their second-biggest win by runs in ODI cricket. Their biggest victory margin is 290 runs, while their second-highest currently stands at 210. Matt Henry will bowl his 9th over with a slip and a short leg in place.

OUT! TAKEN! Fisher has his third wicket as he ends Naman's little cameo. Hammered in hard at length, pitching outside off. Dhir goes for the big swing across the line but the ball gets big on him and he can only get it off the top half, sending it high into the sky over mid off. Santner runs to his left from mid off, adjusts well and takes the catch. India are 83/9, and New Zealand need just 1 wicket to win.

High up in the night sky, and lands safely! A short ball, outside off. Dhir swings hard to pull, but gets a top edge that hangs up in the air for ages towards deep mid-wicket. Jamieson gives chase, back-tracking under it from mid on, but the ball lands well clear and plugs into the outfield. A couple of runs are picked up.

Smell that leather, mate! Short and angled into the off stump. Naman tries to ride the bounce, looking to steer it through third man, but the ball keeps rising up to beat the bat.

SIX! My word, he has picked it up so well! Short of a length by Fisher, on top of off, Naman Dhir stands tall and nails the pull shot, dumping it into the crowd behind deep mid-wicket.

SIX! Clean as a whistle! A juicy half-volley outside off, and Naman Dhir waits for it before loading up and launching it over wide long off for a massive six.

A change of bat for Naman Dhir.

Back of a length, around off, Dhir heaves it off the inner half towards mid on.

Gurnoor Brar walks in next, and all eyes will be on how the Kiwis welcome him after that little exchange picked up on the stump mic earlier. Kyle Jamieson is seen having a word with Brar, seemingly asking him if he has the chest guard on.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Henry has his five-for. Richly deserved. He has just been on the money tonight. Stays 'round the stumps and slams it on a length. Gets it to nip back in sharply and outfoxes Kuldeep. He prods half-forward to block but the ball rifles into him, cutting him in half, beating the inside edge and clipping the top of off. A beautiful sight for any fast bowler. India are 69/8 in the chase of 334 runs.

Banged short around off, Dhir shimmies down the track and controls the pull shot through square leg for a single.

Hits the deck hard, on off, Dhir covers the line and blocks it to covers.

Full and a bit slow at 126 kph, Dhir walks a couple of steps out of the crease and taps it carefully to the off side.

Length ball, outside off, Kuldeep stands up on his toes and steers it to deep point for one more.

Short of a length, on off, Naman jabs it through backward square leg for a single.

Back of a length, swinging away from outside off. Kuldeep dangles his bat loosely and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Bouncer on the stumps, Yadav ducks underneath it.

As New Zealand were celebrating the wicket, the stump mic picked up someone asking, Where's Brar? Looks like the Kiwis are keenly awaiting his arrival and might have a few words of their own for him, given how vocal he has been throughout the series. For now, though, it's Kuldeep Yadav who walks out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Too hot to handle for Nabi, and Fisher celebrates. A well-directed bouncer angled in around off stump, following the batter as Auqib backs away. Nabi takes his eyes off the ball as it climbs on him. He arches back to get out of the line but keeps his gloves up, and the ball brushes them on its way through to Tim Seifert behind the stumps. India are 66/7, and it's wrapping up quickly now.

Sharp short ball that nips in, over off, Nabi hangs back and dabs it to point.

Fuller delivery, at 143 kph, outside off, Nabi pats it to cover-point.

Hits the back of a length, on middle, Auqib tucks it off the back foot and it goes on the bounce to Michael Bracewell. He dives forward but his fingers get yorked.

Straigthens off the pitch, on a good length, Dhir walks a couple of steps forward and dabs it down to backward point.

Short of a length, 129 kph, on top of middle, Nabi swivels and pulls it firmly to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Gets it through the gap! A little too full, angled in at the pads, Nabi flicks it behind square leg and picks up his first boundary.

Skiddy delivery, on a good length, nipping back in, Nabi looks to pull but misses and is struck on his thigh pad.

Outside off on a length, knocked into covers.

A bit of a scare for Matt Henry there, as he thought the umpires were checking for a No Ball. Auqib Nabi comes out to the middle. Two slips in place for the new batter.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Henry can do no wrong tonight. He has his fourth, and with Kishan gone, one end is exposed now. Comes from around the stumps and lands it on a good length just outside off. It nips in sharply, flummoxing Kishan, who tries to play at it. Gets an inside edge and the ball rattles the timber. India are 61/6, needing 273 more.

Matt Henry (6-2-16-3) is back on, replacing Michael Bracewell.

Hits the back of a length, outside off. Naman rides the bounce and glides it to backward point.

Wide. Bouncer attempted by Fisher, but he gets the line wrong. It is down leg as Naman ducks under the ball.

Bowled on a back of a length, on middle. Dhir closes the bat face and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Mixes his length as this is fuller, on off. Dhir springs onto the front foot and angles the drive to the right of cover for a couple of runs.

At 144 kph, banged in short, over middle. Dhir ducks under it.

Matt Henry is loosening up. He might return soon for his second spell.

That took off. At 141 kph, on a hard length, on off. Dhir tries to drop his hands and sway away but the ball jags back in with a bit of extra bounce. It brushes the left glove before pinging the right forearm and dribbling away to point.

Delivers it on a length, around off. Dhir pushes it to cover from the crease.

Wide. Drifts down leg. Dhir walks inside the line but misses out on the glance.

A little too straight, on the pads. Kishan drops to one knee to play the paddle, but he can't get it past short fine leg.

At 91 kph, full and at the stumps. Dhir knocks it to long on and turns the strike over.

Fired in full, on middle. With a bit of a whippage, Kishan works it to long on for a single.

Flighted up, drawing the batter forward, on off. Ishan lunges and eases it back to the bowler.

Sliding on with the arm, on a good length, on off. Kishan steers it to point.

Dropped short, on off. Dhir taps it to long on for a run.

Sticks to the full length and brings the stumps into play. Dhir brings his wrists into play and works it wide of mid on, where Mitchell Santner makes a tumbling stop to his right. Naman is off the mark with a single.

Cranks it up at 144 kph, around off. Naman plays a punchy drive to mid off.

Pushes the length up, attacking the front pad. Dhir stays balanced, brings his bat out in front and whips it to mid on.

Into the deck, on middle. Dhir is solid in defence.

Half a shout for LBW. Matthew Fisher thinks it is going down leg and bails out of the appeal. Nip-backer off a good length, on middle. Dhir plays down the wrong line due to the seam movement and gets hit high on the thigh pad.

Half of the Indian side is back in the hut. Naman Dhir is in at number 7. The last recognised batting pair for the tourists is in the middle now. Two slips in place.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Wonderful bowling from Matthew Fisher. Just too good for Axar Patel. An effort ball by Fisher as he hits the deck hard, on middle. Axar waits back to defend the line of the ball. It nips away off the seam to open up the left-hander completely. It catches the outside edge and flies straight into the waiting hands of Finn Allen at slip, who takes the catch at waist height. India are now 53/5.

Floated up, on off. Axar gets forward and powers the drive to the right of long off for a single.

This is slowed down, and the length is pulled back, on off. Axar is not to the pitch of the ball as he checks his drive to cover.

Pushed through on the pads. Axar is rooted to the crease. He is beaten on the flick and gets hit on the front pad.

Tossed up, full and on middle. Kishan hangs low and eases it to long on for another single.

Sliding onto the pads. Axar clips this full ball to deep square leg for a single.

A bit of turn first up for Bracewell. Starts with a flighted delivery from around the wicket, on a length, on middle. Axar defends it off.

A poor review from New Zealand. They have one more review left. Michael Bracewell has been brought into the attack now. He replaces Kristian Clarke.

Rapped on the pads! Not given by the umpire. Mitchell Santner checks with his teammates whether there was an inside edge. It may have also pitched outside leg, but Santner is happy to take the review. Bowled on a back of a length, on middle. Kishan is up on his toes as he looks to defend by keeping the bat close to the front pad. The replays indicate that there is an inside edge onto the pads and the UltraEdge confirms the same. New Zealand burn a review.

Continues to be around the off stump, on a short of a length. Kishan lets the ball come on and taps the ball on its head, dabbing it to the left of deep third for a couple of runs. India's 50 comes up.

Skidding through at 139 kph, on a back of a length. Kishan hops across the stumps and defends it out.

On the shorter side, on off. Kishan chops it down from the crease to cover.

Fuller and across the off stump. Axar drives it a bit uppishly but between cover and mid off for a single.

FOUR! Third boundary in the last 6 balls for India. Not all that short, but Axar gets the width to work with. He punches it into the turf, and it flies past the outstretched left hand of Nick Kelly, who leapt acrobatically to his left.

Drinks Break! India are under a lot of pressure with the asking rate shooting up to 8.31. Rohit, Virat and then Iyer, three of India's most experienced batters were sent packing in the very first over by Henry, leaving them firmly on the back foot. Gaikwad, too, had no answer to the bouncing, moving ball as Henry and Jamieson kept hammering it hard into the surface, reducing India to 9 for 4. They could well have been five down had Kelly not put down Axar's catch, and since then the left-handed duo have worked hard to steady the ship, with Kishan leading the charge. It is a long, long way back for the tourists, and these two will need to dig deep. New Zealand know they are just a wicket or two away from slamming the door shut.

FOUR! Put away. Clarke loses his radar again as this is short and wide on off. Kishan climbs all over it as he spanks it past backward point. Nick Kelly covers good ground to his right in the deep and dives, but in vain. 10 runs off the over. At the end of 15 overs, India are 43/4, needing 291 runs from 210 balls.

Very full at the sticks. Kishan brings his wrists into play and whips it to mid on.

Delivers it on a good length, slanting back in at the off stump. Kishan leans across to block it off.

Fractionally short, outside off. Axar gets on top of the bounce and punches it firmly through covers. There is protection in the deep this time and the fielder gets around to his left to mop it up. Just a single.

FOUR! Through the gap. Clarke errs in both line and length. Short and wide on off, there to be put away. Axar frees his arms and thumps it into the ground before the ball races through the vacant point region.

From around the wicket, bowled into the deck with the keeper up to the stumps. Kishan is rushed on the pull but manages to get it to the left of deep square leg for a run.

A bumper at 142 kph, sailing over the right shoulder. Axar takes his eyes off the ball as he ducks. He leaves his bat hanging like a periscope, but the ball passes harmlessly.

That has zipped through! At 141 kph, on a nagging length, on middle. Axar hangs back to defend but is beaten for pace as the ball goes past the inside edge.

A hint of an inward shape, full and on middle. Kishan gets forward for the drive but shanks it off the inner half to the left of mid on. They cross.

Overpitched on off. Kishan gets his hands through the line and drives well but it goes straight to mid off.

Nibbling away off the seam, on a good length. Kishan is squared up on the back foot as he steers it to backward point.

Angled across the left-hander, on a length. Axar pats it without much foot movement. It goes through the gap between cover and mid off for a single.

Double change. Matthew Fisher replaces Kyle Jamieson. There's a slip in place.

Clarke dishes out the bumper, angled in at the batter. Axar gets his hands high and pivots for the hook. He keeps it down and plays it towards deep fine leg for a single.

A little bit of width offered, on a good length. Axar punches it on the rise, but Will Young at cover-point is quick to his left and slides to mop it up.

Former Kiwi pacer Neil Wagner is in the house, proudly watching New Zealand's seam attack operate on a postage stamp tonight.

Outside off, Axar goes for the cut but the ball is not short enough for the shot. Chops it down to backward point.

Goes wide on the crease and hurls it on a back of a length, on off. Axar stays beside the line and with a slightly open bat face, this is sliced to cover-point.

Bowled on a good length, angled in at the pads. Axar nurdles it between square leg and deep fine leg for a couple of runs.

This does not rise much, short and wide on off, flirting with the tramline. Axar flashes but the ball sneaks under the blade.

Both opening bowlers have now bowled six overs on the bounce. And here's the first change in bowling as Kristian Clarke replaces Matt Henry.

Bangs it in short but the line is a little too straight, around leg. Kishan ducks to let the ball go through to the keeper.

Delivers it on a length at 133 kph, on off. Kishan gets on the front foot and stabs it down right under his eyes.

This is dug in short but this does not rise much and it goes away from the left-hander. Kishan drops his hands and sways away.

Attacks the sticks with a full ball. Ishan plants his front foot across and plays a wrisy drive around his front pad towards mid on.

Goes full, not much movement through the air, around off. Kishan lunges and drives it along the ground to mid off.

Pushed across the off stump, on a good length. Kishan stays back and angles it to backward point.

This is fuller in length, in the channel, inviting the drive. Axar is happy to let it go.

Fractionally short, on off. Patel gets on top of the bounce and punches it square but can't get it past cover-point.

Hurls it on a good length, on off and middle. Axar stays beside the line and dabs it to point.

Jagging back in off the surface. Kishan hops back to a full ball and tries to cover the line. It catches the inside edge and goes wide of mid-wicket. Axar Patel hurries to the other end and gets home before the throw arrives.

A bit fuller than the previous ball and closer to the off stump as well. Patel extends his hands and knocks it to the left of Mitchell Santner at mid off for a single.

Bowls it on a length, outside off. Patel does not move his feet at all and reaches out for the drive. He mishits it to the right of the bowler.

That's the first Powerplay done. New Zealand can now have 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle, but with India on the back foot, Mitchell Santner will be keen to keep the pressure on and continue to attack. Matt Henry to continue.

Beaten! Jamieson switches to around the stumps and bangs the length in hard, angling it down the leg side. Using his height, he extracts extra bounce as Ishan Kishan gets inside the line to pull, only for the ball to keep climbing and sail over his angled bat. There's a bit of an appeal for caught behind by Seifert, but it's turned down by the umpire. No interest from Jamieson, though. India end their Powerplay on 26/4.

Nice and full, outside off, Ishan lunges across to defend it to short cover.

Landing it outside leg and angling across, Ishan presses back and punches it to covers.

FOUR! Gloriously struck! In-between length, outside off, Ishan Kishan gets the width he desires, hops off and punches it behind square on the off side, finding the gap through the backward point region for a boundary.

Back of a length, deviating in with bounce, Ishan shoulders arms as the ball flies over the off stump.

Beats the outside edge! Kyle angles it across the left-hander, full and just outside off. Ishan Kishan is drawn onto the front foot to defend, but the ball keeps moving away, nibbling past the outside edge.

Short from around the stump. Lands it outside off and Axar leaves it alone.

FOUR! Terrific shot! Henry keeps hammering the short length outside off, but Axar rises onto his toes, rides the bounce and carves a crisp square cut along the ground through the gap between backward point and cover-point for four.

Short on off and it rears up a bit. Axar rides the bounce and taps it gently towards point.

Half-tracker outside off, Ishan steers it between backward point and cover-point for a quick single.

FOUR! No half measures on that one! Henry overpitches and pays the price. It is outside off and Kishan hits it through the line, leaves nothing in the tank and thumps it over mid off for a boundary. One bounce and into the fence.

Nipping in off the seam, on a good length, Ishan Kishan gets a bit across on the crease and tucks it to the mid-wicket fielder.

Maiden over! Short of a length, around off, Patel waits for it to arrive and fends it to the point region.

Three-quarter length, across off, Axar Patel tries to drive it through covers, but gets a thick inside edge and the ball squirts to mid-wicket.

Angling away from the left-hander, on a hard length. Patel rocks back and taps it to cover.

Banged in short at the armpits, Patel rides the bounce and drops it beside the pitch on the leg side.

A touch fuller than the previous ball, Axar watchfully knocks it back to the bowler.

BEATEN! Jamieson extracts more bounce off a good length, on top of off, nipping in. Axar Patel dangles his bat loosely away from his body and is beaten all ends up on the inside edge.

Slams it on a length, on off, Ishan rocks back by covering the stumps and bunts it to the off side.

FOUR! That's been punished! Much fuller and outside off, Ishan Kishan advances down the track, gets a good piece of wood on that and smashes it to the left of mid off for a boundary.

Nagging length, on leg, Kishan tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Moving away a bit, on the fuller side, on off. Kishan is caught in his crease but manages to stab it down on the off side.

Out comes the short ball, across off at 132 kph. Kishan thinks about going for a pull but then drops his hands and ducks under it.

Hits the top of the off stump, nibbling away. Kishan hangs back and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Short of a length, pitching on middle and leg. Axar stays put and tries to work it across, but gets late to bring his bat down and wears it on the thigh pad.

A bit full and outside the off stump. Axar drives it to pierce the gap at cover, but the fielder makes a diving stop to his left.

DROPPED! Kelly has shelled an easy chance here. On a back of a length and angled across from the leg-stump line. Axar is rushed by the bounce and finds himself in an awkward position. He tries to fend it away on the off side, and the ball gets chipped straight to Nick Kelly at backward point, who dives forward and spills the chance.

Axar Patel is in at number 6.

OUT! CAUGHT AT SECOND SLIP! And just like that, the Indian top four have been blown away in the wind. Good length, angled into the channel of off at 134 kph. The ball moves away off the surface as Gaikwad pushes forward to defend. Goes with hard hands and gets a thick outside edge. Bracewell at second slip gets low to his right and takes it cleanly. India are reeling at 9/4, chasing 334 runs.

What a peach of a delivery! Jamieson lands it around off stump, not quite full in length. Gaikwad steps forward to drive through the off side, but the ball kicks off the surface and nips sharply back in, cutting him in half. It beats the inside edge and carries through to the keeper.

Wide outside off, very full, inviting the drive. Kishan tries to smear it away, but gets an outside edge through the vacant short third region for a single.

Fuller ball, at 131 kph, on off, Ruturaj walks forward to negate any seam movement and flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Short on the bodyline, Ishan Kishan swivels and pulls it on the bounce to deep backward square leg for a single.

Slightly full on the stumps, Ishan skips down the track to whack it downtown, but gets the timing all wrong. Loses his shape a bit and hits it off the bottom end of the bat towards mid on.

Oh, a sharp nip-backer from outside off, Ishan Kishan gets on the front foot and looks to drive it to the off side, but gets an inside edge to the leg side.

Slams it into the pitch, on the leg stump, Ishan stabs it down the pitch.

Good length, outside off, Ishan covers the stumps and pats it to cover-point.

Fuller-length delivery, outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad strides across on the front foot and slices it to the left of the diving backward point fielder for two more.

A tempter! Back of a length, in the channel of off, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets half-forward to block but sees the ball nibble away off the seam and zip past his bat.

Slightly short on the leg stump, Gaikwad uses his wrists to steer it through the gap between square leg and mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Pushed down the leg stump, looking to swing back into the stumps, but it holds the line and goes straight on. Ruturaj Gaikwad misses his flick.

On top of off, short of a length, Ruturaj Gaikwad hops on his toes and dabs it with soft hands toward backward point.

Curves away, outside off on a good length, Ruturaj lets it through.

Full and stump-to-stump, Ruturaj Gaikwad presses forward and blocks it right under his eyes.

Full ball, outside off, Kishan gets on the front foot and stabs it to cover.

Fuller than a length, on off and shaping back in a touch, Ishan strides forward and pushes it back to Henry.

Skids through off a length, outside off, Ishan flashes hard at it to cut it square but ends up chopping it behind to the keeper.

At 131 kph, good length, around off, Ishan rocks back and punches it to short cover.

Length outside off, Ishan weighs back and cuts it to the point region. The fielder makes a sharp diving stop to his right.

Beats the bat! Jags back in with a bit of extra bounce on middle, Ishan Kishan is cramped for room, looks to work it across. Gets beaten on the inside edge and is struck on the flap of his front pad.

Swings away a shy bit, on a good length. It is wide of off and Gaikwad shoulders arms.

Short of a length, on leg, Kishan steers it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Rears up from the pitch, on a good length, Ishan Kishan rides the bounce and fends it to the leg side with soft hands.

Finally, India are off the mark! Length-delivery, outside off, Gaikwad steers it behind backward point for a single.

Back of a length, outside off, nipping away, Gaikwad is happy to leave this one too.

Good length, seaming away from outside off. This is left alone by Gaikwad.

Well, well, a spectacular start with the ball for New Zealand. Ishan Kishan makes his way out to bat. Kyle Jamieson will take the other new ball. He is starting with a couple of slips.

OUT! LBW! Henry lands another gut-punch on India. He is on fire today. On a length and angled in from outside off, the ball nips back towards middle stump. Iyer, rooted in his crease, looks to defend but is beaten by the inward movement. The ball squeezes past the inside edge and thuds into the back pad, plumb in front of the stumps. A big shout for LBW, but it's turned down by Kumar Dharmasena. Henry is certain that he has got his man and convinces Santner to take the review. A flat line on the UltraEdge and the Ball Tracking confirms three reds, with the ball projected to crash the leg stump. India are in deep, deep trouble with 3 down and no runs on the board yet.

A horror start for India. The skipper, Shreyas Iyer, walks in at number 4.

OUT! BOWLED! It keeps getting better and better for Henry, who has removed two of India’s most prolific batters in the very first over. Henry switches it up after the out-swingers, getting one to shape back in from a length. It stays a touch low, and Kohli, caught in his crease while attempting to defend, is undone by the movement as the ball grazes the inside edge and crashes into the stumps. Virat is left stunned at the crease, and India are 0/2 in a chase of 334.

Short of a length, angled into the channel outside off at 130 kph. Virat hops back, opens the bat face and steers it to the right of backward point.

Good-length delivery on middle and leg. Kohli flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Nearly gets the edge! Fuller than a good length, in the channel. It lands and nips away as Kohli looks to drive it away, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

A perfect start for New Zealand. Virat Kohli is in early.

OUT! EDGED AND CAUGHT! Henry couldn't have asked for a better start than this. He has had Rohit's number before as well, and he strikes first ball here. Henry finds extra bounce, and Rohit is completely squared up. The ball climbs awkwardly, kisses the shoulder of the bat and flies straight to slip, where Allen does the rest with a sharp catch. Rohit falls for a golden duck, and India are 0/1, chasing 334 runs.

OUT! FISHER IS RUN OUT! Lands it quite fuller, and it is driven firmly by Fisher towards the left of long off. They attempt to steal the second run, but Kohli has plenty of time to return the ball to the keeper. Ishan Kishan collects the throw and whips the bails off, catching Fisher well short of the crease. New Zealand are bowled out on 333! 8 runs off the final over.

Matthew Fisher is the last man in.

OUT! MATT HENRY IS RUN OUT! Nabi gets the yorker spot on, landing it right in front of the stumps. Kyle attempts to swing it across the leg side but gets an inside edge onto his front pad. The ball trickles along the pitch as the batters try to steal a quick single. Auqib sprints in, collects it and underarms the throw to the striker's end, where a direct hit catches Henry out of his crease. The replay confirms that he is out by a fair margin.

Excellent running once again! Nabi bowls an off-cutter into the pitch, outside off, Kyle Jamieson hammers it over the non-striker, to the left of long on, for two more as Axar tidies it up.

Swing and a miss! Length-delivery on middle, Kyle Jamieson backs away a long way to the leg side and tries to hoist it over the bowler but misses out.

Fuller ball, outside off, Kyle Jamieson slices it over mid off for a couple of runs.

Good hustle by the batters! Fires in a yorker, on off, Jamieson clears the front leg away and drills it to the right of long on. Axar Patel runs in off the ropes as the ball slows down, and the batters pinch in the second run.

Wide! Too short by Auqib, and it keeps climbing over the batter's head. Jamieson sways away and drops his wrists.

Auqib Nabi will close out the innings.

Too full and wide outside off, Kyle Jamieson carves it to deep point for a single.

Slips in a low full toss outside the off stump. Henry drags it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A pinpoint yorker from Arshdeep raps Jamieson on the toes. He fails to get his bat down in time and cannot clear his front leg, with the ball striking his boot. A leg bye is taken as the ball deflects to the short third region.

Takes the pace off, 117 kph, a short delivery outside off stump is pulled, but Kyle gets it off the top edge of the bat towards the deep fine leg region. They get a couple of runs.

In the air... but safe! On a good length at off stump, Henry makes room and goes big over the off side but slices it in the air. However, the ball lands well short of Gaikwad at deep point, who runs in from the boundary. A single is taken.

In front of the sticks, too full, Kyle clears the front leg and drills it through widish mid-wicket for a single.

The new batter is Matt Henry.

OUT! LBW! Full-length delivery lands very close to the off-stump line. Clarke moves across to the off side, looks to work it into the leg side, but is beaten on the inside edge as the ball strikes him low on the front pad. That looks plumb in front, and up goes the finger on a polite appeal. But Clarke decides to take the gamble and review it. Nothing on the UltraEdge and three reds on the Ball Tracking uphold the on-field decision. Clarke is already near the ropes before the verdict is passed. New Zealand are 318/8.

FOUR! Off the top edge, but Clarke wouldn't mind that one bit. At 120 kph, another slow bouncer pitches close to off stump. Clarke moves across to the leg side, swings across the line and gets a top edge that flies up and over the infield for a four to deep fine leg.

Another one that misses the target! A short delivery outside off stump, Jamieson clubs it straight to Iyer at extra cover. He has just one stump to aim at, and the shy at the bowler's end misses yet again. Jamieson had already conceded but he is safe.

A yorker on leg stump is dug out towards mid off for a quick single. Kohli moves in to gather the ball but loses his balance and fumbles at the end. One run taken.

Had the throw hit, that would have been the end of Jamieson. Fuller-length delivery on off, Jamieson backs away and smears it to the mid off region. Both set off for a single. Kohli's rocket-throw at the bowling end is off target, and Jamieson slides his bat in to get home.

Slower one at 118 kph, short and outside off, Kristian Clarke is a bit too early into the pull shot and gets a bottom edge. The ball gets squirted behind to the right of Kishan for a single.

Auqib Nabi comes back on, replacing Kuldeep Yadav.

A full ball, around the off pole, Clarke drags it down to long on for a single. Decent recovery by Arshdeep after being hit for a six on the second ball. Still, 10 runs from the over.

Switches to around the wicket now. Very full, nearly a yorker, outside off, Jamieson shovels it wide of mid off for a single.

Full and on the fourth stump, Kyle clears his front leg but fails to get under it and mistimes it off the inner half of the bat. Hits it back to Arshdeep.

Overcooks it wide outside off, Clarke squeezes it through cover-point for a single.

Wide! Way too short and over the head. Clarke lets it be.

SIX! Well struck by Clarke! He was looking to get one away and does so this time. Short of a good length, around the leg stump. Clarke picks the length early, gets into a good position, maintains his shape and pulls it over deep square leg for a big six.

Well-directed short delivery, over the stumps, Kristian Clarke swings across the line to pull but misses.

A bit too full, on off, Jamieson takes a giant stride forward and pushes it to the left of the bowler. Kuldeep is alert and dives on his follow-through to cut it off. Another tidy over by Kuldeep. Just 6 runs off it.

We have had a pitch invader, and the players seem to be taking it in good humour. The individual has been escorted off the field by security personnel, and we are all good to go.

The googly, full and outside off, Kristian Clarke carves it to deep point for a single. 300 up for New Zealand!

Wide of off, slow at 82 kph, Kristian Clarke tries to fetch it for a slog sweep and hit it across the line, but fails to read the wrong'un and misses to connect.

Pushed through, full outside off, Jamieson drives it away to long off for a single.

Spins in from off, full in length, Kyle pushes it to the cover region.

EDGED AND FOUR! Fortuitous! It is a good-length delivery just outside off stump. Jamieson rocks back in his crease and gets a thick outside edge. Rohit at slip dives to his right but cannot get a hand to it, and the ball races away to the third man fence.

Back to around the wicket, on a hard length, outside off. Jamieson fiddles at the ball. It goes down to deep third off an outside edge for a run.

Superb stop! Fuller and angled away. Jamieson gets on top of the bounce and drives it on the up towards cover, where Rohit Sharma springs to his right and saves a certain boundary.

From over the wicket now, pushed across the off stump, on a nagging length. Jamieson pushes away from his body and is beaten on the outside edge.

Into the surface, on middle. Jamieson hops and rides the bounce to defend it out.

The timing of this wicket couldn't be better for the Indians. With 5.4 overs still left, Kyle Jamieson is in at number 9.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Arshdeep Singh strikes on his return to the attack. Mitchell Santner throws his head back in disappointment. Wobble seam ball, on a good length, in the channel. Santner stays back in his crease, looking to punch it through covers. There is just enough movement off the surface to take the outside edge. The keeper, Ishan Kishan, does the rest, taking the catch low to his left. New Zealand are now 7 down for 293.

Nearly ran past it! Angled into the right-hander from around the wicket, on a short of a good length. Clarke shovels it away behind square leg. Naman Dhir is looking into the sun as he moves to his right. The ball lands and spins away but Dhir sticks out his left hand to gather the ball. They cross.

New Zealand are inching closer to the 300 figure, and with six overs left, they can get to 320-330 easily if Santner stays. Arshdeep Singh (7-0-37-0) is back into the attack, replacing Naman Dhir.

Tossed up, on a good length, on middle. Santner defends it out watchfully.

Dragged down, bowled from the front of the hand, at the pads. Santner nurdles it through square leg. By the time Gurnoor Brar can get in off the ropes, the batters come back for the second run.

A bit quicker, fuller and on middle. Kristian stays back to block. Gets it off the inner half past the sliding past Rohit Sharma at mid-wicket for one.

Nice loop and drop, bowled at 82 kph, it is the googly, going away from the right-hander. Kristian plays for the leg break and is beaten past the outside edge.

Flighted up, on middle. Santner drives it towards long off and gets to the other end.

Spinning away from leg to middle, on a nagging length. Santner hangs back to defend.

Kuldeep Yadav is brought back on. He has been very expensive today, conceding 63 runs in just 6 overs.

On a length, slanting in on middle. Santner steps out and eases it towards long off for a single. 14 runs off the over.

Slower and shorter, on off and middle. The ball holds in the surface as Santner plays it a bit uppishly but in front of cover.

SIX! Not quite as big as the previous one, but the result is the same. Dhir floats it up, but it ends up being a bit too full. It angles into the left-hander, and Santner takes full toll. He gets the front leg out of the way and clubs it over long on for half a dozen.

Drags the length back and this is on middle. Mitchell pats it to cover.

SIX! That has gone back a long way. Dhir tosses it up but ends up dishing it out right in the wheelhouse. Santner puts his head down, clears the front leg and with a clean swing of the arms, he tonks it over long off for a biggie.

Full and drifting in, on middle. Clarke swipes it away to deep mid-wicket and takes a single.

Will Dhir continue? Yes, one more for him. 1/15 in 3 overs so far.

Banged in short, around middle and leg. Kristian hops and nurdles it behind square on the leg side for a run.

Outstanding work. Fuller in length, on off. Santner presses onto the front foot and powers the drive wide of cover. Ruturaj Gaikwad flings himself to his right to make the stop. He can't quite pick the ball up from the ground in one go, and that allows Santner to complete the single.

Hits the deck hard, on off. Santner hops and angles it to backward point.

Bashes the hard length at 143 kph, angled in on middle. Santner is solid in defence.

Slanting in at the ribs, on the shorter side. Kristian hops and glances it behind square leg for a run.

Wide. Down leg, on a back of a length. Clarke walks inside the line.

Beaten! Back of a length, outside off. Clarke pokes at the ball and is beaten past the outside edge.

Darted in at the stumps, on a good length. Santner steps out and just fiddles at the ball. Ekes out an inside edge that rolls to mid-wicket.

DROPPED! Rohit Sharma is the guilty party for the second time in the day. Shorter in length, on middle. Santner hops back to punch it away, but the ball stops in the surface and he ends up chipping it towards cover. Rohit dives forward and gets his hands under the ball but can't cling on. Not an easy chance with the ball dipping on him but Rohit will be disappointed with himself.

This comes in with the arm, on a length. Santner plays for the turn and he defends down the wrong line. He is beaten on the inside edge and gets rapped on the front pad.

Flighted up, on a good length, on middle. A bit of turn as Santner pushes it to cover.

Shorter and on off. Clarke punches it to long on and rotates the strike.

FOUR BYES! That has beaten everyone. On a nagging length, around the leg stump. Clarke drops to a knee and leans inside the line for the lap but misses as the ball sneaks just past the top of the leg stump. Ishan Kishan moves to his left but overdoes it and is beaten to his right.

That's the end of Powerplay 2. India can have a maximum of 5 fielders outside the 30-yard circle for the final stretch of 10 overs.

Nearly finds the edge! A skiddy delivery, on a length, just outside off, Mitchell Santner hangs back to punch it away, but the ball nips away to beat the outside edge. Just 2 runs from Brar's ninth. 2/65 so far are his bowling figures.

Nails the yorker in, on off, Santner jams the bat down and carves it towards point.

Full from around the stump, on off, Santner squeezes it out to covers.

Back of a length, nipping in on middle, Clarke tucks it off the back foot to the mid-wicket region for a quick single.

Sharp bouncer over the stumps, Kristian ducks under it.

Length-delivery, outside off, guided behind to deep third for a single.

Keeps drifting in and around middle and leg, on a good length. Mitchell Santner shuffles to the leg side to access the off side, but the ball holds on the surface and arrives late. He chips it to the right of Dhir and rolls to long off for a single.

Fuller ball, on off, Santner gets forward and drives it to short cover.

Stump-to-stump, slightly full, pushed back to the bowler.

FOUR! Flayed through the gap! The classic off-break by Dhir, but it's a bit too short and wide of off. Mitchell Santner rocks back, makes room, plays it late and cuts it to the left of backward point for a boundary.

Close to the off stump, fractionally short, Santner backs away and chops it to the bowler.

Drifted into the batter, on a length, Santner hangs back and tucks it to mid on.

Good length ball, outside off. Clarke looks to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Two wickets in 6 balls for India. Kristian Clarke comes out to bat.

OUT! Fantastic catch by Dhir! Two quick wickets for India, and the momentum has flipped in their favour. A hard-length ball that angles into the batter. Bracewell is cramped for room as he attempts the pull, but fails to get the timing on it. The ball travels towards Dhir at deep backward square leg, where he charges across to his right from the boundary and dives forward to take a fine low catch. The TV umpire has been called upon to check whether the catch was clean, and it is deemed a clean effort in the end. Brar has his arms aloft as he picks up his second wicket. New Zealand slip from 256/4 to 258/6.

Three-quarter length on off, Michael knocks it towards the fielder at cover.

Short of a length, outside off, Santner rocks back and steers it to deep cover-point for a run.

Fuller length on the stumps. Santner gets behind the line and blocks it.

Angled in on the pads, Michael Bracewell tucks it to deep backward square leg for a single.

The skipper, Mitchell Santner, walks in next. Pace is back on through Gurnoor Brar. Expect him to test the two left-handers with the short ball.

OUT! CAUGHT! Dhir gets a big breakthrough in his first over. A fuller delivery in front of the stumps, and Will Young tries to slog it over deep mid-wicket. He fails to get under the ball properly and mistimes it off the toe end of the bat. The ball flies flat towards deep mid-wicket, where substitute fielder, Kumar Kushagra runs in from the ropes and dives forward. He nearly spills the catch as he lands on his knees, but manages to gather it on the second attempt. A crucial moment in the game as the centurion departs. Young is gutted as he trudges off. New Zealand are 256/5.

Pushed through, full outside off, driven along the ground to deep extra cover for a run.

FOUR! Gets it through! Serves it up there, full around off, Michael Bracewell gets forward and smashes it towards short cover. Virat Kohli gets nutmegged as the ball speeds to the fence, bisecting deep point and long off.

Stays 'round the wicket, does Dhir. Lands it outside leg on a fuller length. It stays low and Young steers it behind square leg for a single.

Overpitched outside off, Bracewell carves it away to deep cover for one more. And with that single, the 250 comes up for New Zealand!

Tossed up, full and wide of off, Bracewell strides across and drives it through cover for a couple of runs.

Naman Dhir comes into the attack. India's 6th bowling option of the day.

FOUR! A genuine loose ball and it gets the treatment! 12 runs off the over. Pitched outside leg on a fuller length, Young gets across, goes down on a knee and sweeps it firmly to the long leg region for a boundary. This partnership is now worth 32 runs.

Around off at 84 kph, Will Young steers the full ball to point.

SIX! Beautifully timed! A rank half-volley, outside off, Will Young advances down the track, holds his shape and marvellously lofts it over deep extra cover for a six.

Dishes out a low full toss and Bracewell drives it to long on for a single.

A bit fuller on the leg stump, Young stabs it through mid-wicket for a single.

Spins down the leg stump on a fuller length, Young goes for the reverse but misses and the ball clips the front pad before trickling to short fine leg.

End of a superb spell from Axar. 2/39 in 10 overs for him. Full and on middle and leg. Bracewell gets on the front foot and defends it back to the bowler.

Short over off, Young rocks back and cuts it behind point for a single.

Fuller and on the pads. 94 kph. Bracewell tucks it wide of short fine leg for a run.

Very full and drifting away, on the fourth-fifth stump. Michael Bracewell swings hard to loft it over covers, but gets an outside edge. The ball rolls behind to deep third and is chased by Kumar Kushagra, the sub fielder. Two runs taken.

Keeps the stumps in play and gives a bit more air on it, Will Young eases it down to long on for a single.

Flatter at 93 kph, outside off and full, Young hangs back and chops it to backward point.

Quicker, flatter, fuller, 85 kph, Will Young shimmies down the track and clips it to deep square leg for a single. 9 off the over and Kuldeep has conceded 51 runs in 5 overs so far.

FOUR! That's been expertly put away! A bit too full by Kuldeep, full on middle, Will Young picks the length early, stretches forward and nails the reverse sweep over the short third fielder to collect another boundary.

Holds on the surface, short on middle, Young knocks it to the right of the bowler. Kuldeep makes a diving stop to his right.

Pitching outside leg! On a fullish length, right in front of the stumps, Will Young goes down on a knee for the sweep, but the ball dips below his bat and hits his front pad. A massive appeal for LBW, but not given. The Indians have opted for a review. UltraEdge does not detect anything when the ball is close to the inside edge. Ball Tracking, however, shows that it has pitched marginally outside the leg stump. India burn a review here as the on-field decision is upheld.

FOUR! Streaky, very streaky! Dropped short and on off, the top-spinner that skids off the pitch. Will Young backs away to make room for the punch toward the off side but gets an inside edge. Luckily, the ball shoots over the off stump and goes through Ishan Kishan's legs before racing to the fence behind. Arshdeep chases after it, but the ball wins the race.

Young removes his gloves and helmet as the physio rushes out to conduct a mandatory concussion test on him. Good to resume after a couple of minutes.

Oh, dear! Pitched around the leg stump on a fuller length. It pops off the pitch as Will Young employs the reverse sweep by going low on his knee, but the ball deflects off his forearm and hits the helmet grill.

At 92 kph, on a good length, Michael whips off the pads to the mid-wicket region. It is cut off by Gaikwad to his left.

The length is pulled back, outside off, Young cuts it off the back foot to deep point for a run.

An in-drifter, full on the leg stump, Will tries to sweep it away but fails to connect.

Full on the leg stump, clipped gently to deep square leg for a single.

Had to hurry! Drifting in and around off, full in length, Young leans and drives it inside out to the left of mid off. The batters set off for a single as Ruturaj Gaikwad moves across to cut it off. He throws it to the bowling end but misses his shy and allows Young to slide his bat in. A direct hit would have been interesting.

Dropped short on off, Young hangs back and taps it back to Axar.

DRINKS BREAK! Will Young will welcome this pause in play to gather his thoughts and reset after the emotions of bringing up a hundred. 314 is the average first-innings winning score in the last 10 ODIs at the Bay Oval, and the Black Caps are well placed to get there, if not go beyond it. Kuldeep Yadav looked in much better rhythm in the previous over, and India will need him to hold one end up, particularly with Axar Patel having just two overs left.

HUNDRED FOR WILL YOUNG! An outstanding knock from him as he brings up his fifth ODI century. He played second fiddle to Seifert during their partnership and looked a little scratchy early on, but has grown increasingly fluent as his innings has progressed. He soaks in the cheers from the home crowd and raises his bat before sharing a warm hug with Bracewell. Full delivery on the stumps. Young stretches forward and steers it behind square leg for a single.

Flighted, full on middle, Michael Bracewell lunges and works it to long on for an easy single.

Outside off and short, Bracewell knocks it to cover.

Slowish through the air, on a length, on off, Michael punches it back to Kuldeep.

Young moves to 99 with this single! On a fuller length, and tossed up, it is a googly on middle and leg at 82 kph. Young looks to work it into the leg side but gets a leading edge, which rolls towards long off. A single is taken.

At 84 kph, full on off, Will pushes it off the front foot to backward point.

Kuldeep Yadav is back for another spell. 3-0-39-0 so far for Kuldeep.

Slides it around off on a length, Michael Bracewell hangs back and taps it to cover.

Length ball on leg, punched back to Axar.

Shortish, around off, Michael hangs back and punches it to cover-point.

Full and tossed up outside off. Bracewell gets on the front foot and eases it to point.

A much-needed breakthrough for India. Michael Bracewell makes his way out to bat. A slip in place for the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT! A spectacular catch from Rohit Sharma, and Axar Patel has his second wicket. Patel drops it a bit short, outside off and gives it a little more flight. Finn Allen is drawn in by the flight, attempting to launch it over covers, but the ball holds in the surface slightly and he mistimes it flatly to the right of cover. Rohit dives to his right and pulls off a sharp catch, dragging both hands across to complete the dismissal. New Zealand are 215/4 as the 90-run stand is broken.

Floated up and around off. Young lunges and drives it between mid off and extra cover for a single.

Change? Yes. Axar Patel returns. 1/30 in 7 overs so far. He replaces Arshdeep Singh.

Around the off pole, on a back of a length. Finn stabs it down to backward point.

FOUR! Streaky, but they all count. Cross-seam ball, on a short of a good length, outside off. Allen stands up tall on his toes and tries to punch it away. Gets an outside edge and it flies fine of the fielder at deep third.

FOUR! Nicely played. After pushing the batter back with the short ball, this is fuller, on middle. Allen presses forward, and with a high elbow, he drives it down the ground, well to the left of Kuldeep Yadav at mid on for a four.

Dug in short at 143 kph, outside off. This is not close enough to tempt the batter into pulling. Allen sways away to make the leave.

Stays full, on off. Allen looks to force the drive away but the bat turns in his hand and he mistimes it to cover.

Tilak Varma is on the field as a substitute. Not sure for whom, though.

Pitches it up, on middle and leg. Young stays back in his crease and plays around his front pad, flicking it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Lands it on a short of a length, on middle. Young nurdles it behind square leg and takes a single to move to 96.

Slanting away from the off stump, on a back of a length. Young presses up on his toes and guides it between backward point and deep third. They take the first run hard and come back for the second with ease.

FOUR! Dispatched! And just like that, Will Young is into the 90s. The 200 also comes up for New Zealand. Arshdeep goes into the surface and angles it away, but this sits up to be hit. Young is quick to press back and unleash the pull through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Down leg but within the tramline. Young misses out on the tickle.

Bowled on a short of a length, on middle. Finn taps it to the left of Virat Kohli at cover and hurries to the other end.

Going away, on a back of a length. Allen taps the ball on its head as he glides it to short third.

Goes short, outside off. This does not trouble the batter as Young drops his wrists to let it pass. 10 runs off the over. 38 runs off the last 3.

FOUR! That is in the gap. Brar errs in line again as he offers width, on a short of a good length. Young lets the ball come on and punches it late. It goes uppishly but away from the reach of Axar Patel at backward point. It skips across the turf and Arshdeep Singh at deep third is a mere spectator.

Nice and tight, on a nagging length on the off stump. Young drops it beside the strip on the off side and is keen for a single but Allen sends him back.

Fine stop! Closer to the off stump, on a back of a length. Will gets on top of the bounce and punches it away. Axar Patel dives to his right at backward point and saves at least a couple of runs.

SIX! Flayed away. Young is really starting to motor along now. Brar offers width, on a back of a length. Young flashes and flashes hard. Gets more of an outside edge and it flies over the deep third fence, beating Arshdeep Singh to his right.

On the money straight away. At 141 kph, on a good length, honing in on the off stump. Will defends it right under his eyes.

Pace in tandem now as Kuldeep has been taken off the attack. Gurnoor Brar is back on. 1/42 in 5 overs so far.

A well-directed short ball, around the left shoulder. Finn drops his hands and sways away to let it through to the keeper.

Short and wide on off, there to be put away. Young arches back and slaps it to deep point. Just a single.

FOUR! Well controlled by Young. Singh spots Young advancing down the track and he responds by banging it in short, on off. Will gets his hands high and swats the pull to the right of mid on for a boundary.

On a length, around off. Young leans across and drives it on the rise past cover for a couple of runs.

Two is the call, but they won't get it. Going away, into the surface. Allen stands tall on top of the bounce and smacks it into the turf to the right of deep point. The fielder in the deep is quick to his right and keeps the batters down to a single.

Across the off stump, on a length. Young runs it down to deep third with the angle for a single.

Kuldeep has struggled big time to contain the batters so far and has been really expensive. Shreyas summons Arshdeep Singh (5-0-20-0) back into the attack. He replaces Axar Patel.

Drops it short again, on top of the off stump. Finn hits it hard off the back foot but straight to extra cover.

Shorter and it is the top spinner, on middle. Allen keeps it out off the back foot.

SIX! Finn Allen makes the Free Hit count. Leg-break, on a good length, on middle. Allen gets the front leg out of the way and hits it with the spin. Clubs it over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen. Kuldeep has now conceded 39 runs in his 16 balls so far.

NO BALL, FOUR! It is going from bad to worse for Kuldeep Yadav. He tries to fire it in, but this is dragged down, on the pads. Allen hops onto the back foot quickly and shovels it behind square leg for a four. Kuldeep has overstepped. Free Hit coming up. The 50-run stand also comes up.

A run saved! Slower through the air, on a length, on off. Young reaches out in front and plays the fine sweep down to deep fine leg. Brar covers a lot of ground to his right and lunges to push the ball away. The third umpire is called into action. The replays confirm that just before Brar's feet came into contact with the boundary cushions, he had gotten rid of the ball.

Is that a four? Brar slides to his right to flick the ball back into the playing area, but his right boot appears to make contact with the rope. However, the replay shows that Gurnoor had already released the ball by then, making it a clean save.

FOUR! Beautifully played. Floated up by Kuldeep, it is an attempted googly, on middle. Young gets a good stride in and gets his hands over the ball. Hits the sweep hard and to the left of deep fine leg for a boundary.

Begins with the googly, spinning from leg to middle. It is a little too short and Allen is able to play it off the back foot towards long off. They cross.

We are halfway through the first innings. And the Kiwis have laid a solid platform to push the total beyond 300. For that to happen, this partnership will be crucial. At least one of these two batters needs to bat through to the final stages.

Dropped short, on the off stump, and it is faster as well. Will slaps it into the turf but can't get it past Shreyas Iyer at extra cover. Four dots in a row to finish the over.

Fractionally short, on off. Young punches it off the back foot to extra cover.

Flighted up, trying to get the ball to sneak past the inside edge. Young shapes up for the drive but ekes out an inside edge onto the pads.

Sticks to the shorter side, on middle. Young hangs back to defend.

Darted in with the arm, on a nagging length. Young taps it to long on for one.

Flat and short, on top of the off stump. Allen chops it down to cover.

A little too straight, at the hips, on a nagging length. Young nudges it with soft hands through square leg. By the time the fielder in the deep can get in off the ropes, the batters come back for the second run. Another 10-run over from Kuldeep.

Good energy behind the ball by Kuldeep. Wrong'un, on the shorter side, on middle. Young presses back to block but is squared up in defence. It squirts off the outer half towards backward point.

Looped up, on middle. Finn knocks it to long on and turns the strike over.

FOUR! Edged away. It is the googly by Kuldeep, not all that short, outside off. Allen flashes and flashes hard. The outside edge flies past Rohit Sharma before he can stick out his right hand.

At 85 kph, flighted up, a bit of turn, on middle. Young plays it with the spin to the right of mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

150 up for New Zealand! Fullish delivery on the leg stump line, Young sinks to a knee and sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Spin is deployed from both ends now. Kuldeep Yadav (1-0-10-0) has a change of ends, and replaces Auqib Nabi. A slip in place in the form of Rohit.

This comes in with the arm, shorter and quicker, cramping Allen for room. One hand comes off the bat handle as Finn bunts it to mid-wicket.

The two umpires meet to inspect the ball, which appears to have gone out of shape. The fourth umpire rushes out with a box of replacement balls. Another one is selected and tossed back to Axar. Play is ready to resume.

SIX! Launched down the ground. Axar pushes the length up and tosses it up. Allen gets the ball right in the slot, and he also gets the width to free his arms. With a clean swing of the arms, he smokes it back over the sight screen for a maximum.

Slower and on a good length, outside off. Young punches it on the up through covers and crosses over.

Spears it in again, on a length. Will stabs it down the deck.

Fuller and angled in, on middle. Young defends by leaning forward.

FOUR! Good manipulation of the field. Bowled with a flatter trajectory, darted in on a good length, on middle. Young spots the gap behind square on the leg side. He reaches out in front and rolls his wrists over the ball to play the sweep well to the left of short fine leg.

Another short ball, aimed at the batter this time. Young gets his hands high and controls the pull down to deep square leg for a single.

Banged in short, getting it high around the shoulder. Young drops his hands and sways away to let the ball pass.

On a good length, on off. Allen knocks it off the back foot to cover, where Shreyas Iyer can't stay on his feet while trying to mop it up. It is parried away to his left, allowing the batters to cross over.

Into the deck but not all that short, on off. Young swivels for the pull but gets a bottom edge and it trickles down to deep fine leg for a run.

On the shorter side, on middle. Allen hops and drops it beside the strip on the leg side for a single.

FOUR! Easy pickings. Not the correct option, with square leg up inside the circle. This is dug into the surface, on off. This is not short enough to trouble the batter. Allen hangs back and plays the short-arm pull over square leg to pick up his first boundary.

Flighted up, on off. Allen strokes it through covers for another single.

Slows it down and tosses it up, on off. Young drives this full ball towards long off and rotates the strike.

Stays short, on off. Finn presses back and taps it to long on, getting off the mark with a single.

Shorter and on off. Allen punches it to wide mid off. Ishan Kishan, standing behind the stumps, is heard alerting Axar that Allen is playing from deep in his crease. A useful little observation from the keeper.

Sliding on with the arm, fractionally short. Young tickles it off the pads to the left of Naman Dhir at short fine leg for a run.

Full and drifting in at the off stump. Young leans across and hangs low to play the lap towards Naman Dhir at short fine leg.

Axar Patel comes back on, replacing Kuldeep Yadav.

Length-delivery on the stumps, Allen gently taps it to the leg side, just beside the pitch. A very successful over for Nabi upon his return. A wicket and just a single off it.

Beauty! Landed in and around off, on a length, Finn Allen gets squared up as he looks to defend. The ball straightens off the surface and zips past the outside edge. Beaten by a kitten-whisker.

Back of a length, at 133 kph, nipping away around off, Allen waits back and dabs it on the bounce to Rohit at first slip.

Finn Allen walks in next. Interestingly, this is the first time in his ODI career that Allen will be batting outside the opening position. Rohit Sharma is present at a wide slip for the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! A reckless shot from Foxcroft and he throws his wicket away. Nabi bangs in a short delivery, following the batter. Foxcroft charges down the track to attack it with a hook, but the ball gets big on him and he loses his shape early, getting a top edge. The ball spoons high into the air and is safely taken by Gurnoor Brar at deep fine leg. New Zealand have slipped from 85/0 to 125/3.

A confident drive off the front foot and that will be FIFTY for Will Young! A fuller ball on middle stump, Young lets it come to him and pushes it to the left of Shreyas at cover for a single. He calmly raises his bat to acknowledge the applause from his teammates as he gets to his 13th ODI half-century. He looked a little scratchy early on and survived a couple of dropped chances, and will now look to convert this start into a big hundred.

Attacks the stumps and it skids a bit off a length, Young tucks it to mid on.

Another change in bowling as Auqib Nabi returns to the attack.

Looped up, a bit too full, Will Young carves it to the left of Gaikwad at long off for a single. 10 runs off Kuldeep's first.

Short outside off, turning in, Foxcroft rocks back and knocks it through mid off for a single.

Spins in from off, on a length, Will hangs back and punches it to long on for a single.

Shortens the length, does Yadav. Around off, Young punches it to the left of the bowler.

SIX! Top shot! A little bit of extra flight, full on the stumps, Young jumps down the track and hammers it down the ground for a six.

Full ball on off, Dean pushes it to the left of mid off for a single. Gaikwad throws it to the bowling end, but it's wide of the target. The batters look to charge for the second, but the throw is backed up in the leg side. So they settle for a single only.

Playing his first game of the tour, Kuldeep Yadav has been introduced into the attack. He is starting with a slip in place.

FOUR! No need to run for that! Another short delivery on the stumps, sitting up nicely for the batter. Will Young picks the length early and slaps it with a pull shot, wide of Rohit at mid-wicket for a cracking boundary. He moves to 41, does Young.

Fantastic stop by Rohit! Saves a certain boundary there, as this was travelling at the rate of knots. A sharp short delivery by Brar on middle. Will Young nails the pull shot off the back foot, but Rohit Sharma dives to his right at mid-wicket and makes a half-stop, but the ball stays close to him.

Drop and run! Back of a length, nipping away off the seam, on off, Dean Foxcroft hangs back and taps it to the cover region and steals a quick single.

Angled onto the pads, too full and Young clips it behind square on the leg side for a single.

On a good length, on the bodyline, Dean Foxcroft tucks it with soft hands between mid on and mid-wicket for a quick single. Auqib Nabi runs to his right, picks and throws in a motion towards the bowling end, but misses his shy.

An attempted yorker, on off, Young jams the bat down, opens its face to guide it towards deep third for a single.

Tight on the stumps, a bit full around off, Young drives it to the extra cover region for a single.

Keeps it on the stumps on a good length, Young punches it back to Axar.

The under-cutter, on a length, sliding in, Dean makes room and chop-cuts it wide of backward point for a single.

Shorter and on middle. Young punches it off the back foot to long on and gets to the other end.

A bit of air given, fuller and drifting in on middle. Dean steps out and works it to long on for a run.

Speared in on a good length at the stumps. Foxcroft plays around his front pad as he pushes it down the deck. Axar moves to his right on the follow-through to make the stop.

DRINKS BREAK! It's been an eventful first 16 overs, with a good contest between bat and ball. After an 85-run opening stand, India have fought back with a couple of wickets and will now look to tighten the screws through the middle phase on a surface that seems to have a bit of a two-paced nature to it. Will Young has been dropped twice and, despite being out there from the start, hasn't quite looked in control of proceedings. His ability to negotiate spin will be crucial against the likes of Axar and Kuldeep as New Zealand look to rebuild.

Short outside off, Will Young arches back and looks to flay it over point but misses to lay his bat on the ball.

Fuller than a length, around off, Young drives it to extra cover.

FOUR! Off the inside edge and 100 comes up for New Zealand. Length delivery, jagging back with a bit of extra bounce. Will Young is tentative as he wafts at it, but gets an inside edge and it flies over the leg stump, beating the keeper to his left for a boundary. Young is living dangerously out there.

Swing and a miss! Back of a length, angling in and then straightening up with bounce. Young fails to connect as he attempts to pull.

Beaten! A ripper by Brar, on a length, in the channel. Will Young tries to block it off the back foot, but the ball nips away a wee bit to whistle past his outside edge.

Fuller ball, around off, Foxcroft drives it through covers for a single.

Another full ball, outside off, Dean Foxcroft leans on and drives it gently to the left of the bowler. Axar Patel dives on his follow-through but cannot stop it cleanly. It seeps through towards mid off for a single.

Pushed fuller on off, Foxcroft eases it into covers.

Full and around off, Dean taps it back to the bowler.

Arm ball, outside off. 94 kph. Foxcroft defends it out.

The new batter is Dean Foxcroft.

OUT! STUMPED! Fine bowling from Axar and Nick Kelly will be disappointed with himself. Axar spots Kelly advancing down the track, so he drags the delivery slightly outside off at a fractionally fuller length. The ball lands and holds its line to beat the outside edge. Kelly is well out of his crease and does not even attempt to get back. Ishan Kishan collects the ball cleanly and whips off the bails. New Zealand are 96/2 in 14.2 overs.

Slightly full on the stumps, Kelly backs away and bunts it back to Patel.

Spears it full at the pads, Will Young misses the flick and is struck hard on the front pad.

Short, and outside off. Young looks to pull again but gets beaten on the outside edge.

SIX! Not in complete control, but it has sailed all the way! Short of a length, rising at chest height, Will Young is a bit hurried on the pull shot and top edges it. But the ball goes well over Kuldeep at deep fine leg for a six.

Tight single! Fuller ball on the stumps, Kelly drives it to the left of mid off and sets off for a single. Auqib Nabi moves and dives across and throws to the bowling end, forcing Kelly to dive, but he misses his shy.

Oh, that spat up out of nowhere! Fuller than a length, kicking up off the pitch and nipping away. Nick Kelly is taken aback by the lift and is hit on the left elbow before the ball rolls back to the keeper.

Pitched outside leg, full in length, Kelly flicks it to the gap at deep mid-wicket. By the time Arshdeep hunts it down, the batters hustle back for the second run.

Tossed up, at 89 kph, Kelly pushes at it, but gets an inside edge as the ball spins in, and rolls to backward square leg for a single.

Stump-to-stump, a smidge full, Kelly blocks it out.

Quicker one, on a length, Kelly hangs back and stabs it down watchfully.

At 93 kph, full on off, angling in. Young presses forward and clips it to long on for a single.

The in-dipper on a fuller length, Will Young pushes it to mid off.

In-drifter on a length, Will Young tries to steer it to the leg side, but plays over it and is hit on the thigh pad.

Gurnoor Brar really got into Tim Seifert's face, giving the Kiwi batter a fiery send-off and having to be pulled away by Virat Kohli. Umpire Chris Brown has a quiet word with Brar, seemingly reminding him to keep his emotions in check. Gurnoor could face a reprimand from the match referee for his aggressive send-off. Nick Kelly is in at number 3.

OUT! TOP EDGE AND CAUGHT! Brar is fired up and that's a spectacular catch by Ishan Kishan. Bends his back and bangs it short into the pitch, on top of the stumps. Tim Seifert shapes to play the pull shot, but the ball gets big on him and he ends up getting a fat top edge. The ball flies over the short fine leg region, and Ishan Kishan calls for his catch. He runs to his left, tracks the trajectory and dives forward to complete a wonderful catch. The 85-run opening stand is broken as Seifert falls.

Tails in a touch at 144 kph, full on the pads, Seifert looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads before the ball rolls to mid-wicket.

Length-delivery, outside off, Will Young guides it to deep third for a single.

FOUR! Played extremely well! Short of a length, climbing on the batter, outside off, Will Young leans back a bit and doesn't try to overhit it. Just uses the pace, brings his wrists into play to keep it along the ground and steers it behind square on the off side. Beats the man at deep third to his right for a boundary.

Hammers it on a hard length, 142 kph, on off, Young swivels and pulls it straight to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Skiddy delivery on a length, at the pads, Tim Seifert hops a bit and steers it to deep backward square leg for an easy single.

A double change? Indeed. Gurnoor Brar is back.

Fuller now, on the pads, Will Young clips it to the right of mid-wicket and looks for a single but Naman Dhir is quick to get to the ball and prevent the run. Young is forced to retreat.

Slides in with the arm, short on middle, Tim Seifert backs away and works it towards long off for one more.

A touch short at 92 kph, around off, Young stays leg side and punches it down to long off for a single.

Length, on off and middle, Young dinks it to mid-wicket.

Angling in again and Seifert tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! A loosener to begin with! Drifting onto the pads, on a length, Tim Seifert tickles it fine, between short fine leg and the keeper. Auqib Nabi chases it from the inner ring, but the ball speeds away, and he gives up.

End of the first Powerplay, and New Zealand have completely dominated it. India failed to capitalize on a couple of catching chances and remain wicketless. They can now have a maximum of four fielders outside the inner ring until the 40th over. And as the field spreads, Axar Patel will roll his arm over. He replaces Auqib Nabi.

A little bit of an inward shape, on a good length, on middle and leg. Seifert nurdles it in front of mid-wicket and takes a single to keep the strike. At the end of the first Powerplay, New Zealand are 72/0.

Dug in short by Arshdeep, across off. Seifert hops and gets his hands high to play more like an over-the-head smash, but he does not connect. That seemed high, but the umpire is happy with the height.

Fuller in length, on off. Seifert cracks the drive but picks out Shreyas Iyer at mid off.

Across the off stump, on a length. Young pushes it wide of mid off and turns the strike over.

A single taken and with that, Tim Seifert brings up his MAIDEN ODI FIFTY. Making the most of the first Powerplay is what New Zealand want from him in this role up top, and he has so far done a fine job. With his knock, he has also taken the pressure off Will Young. A little too straight from Arshdeep, on a good length. Seifert tucks it to the left of deep fine leg and takes a single to reach the landmark.

FOUR LEG BYES! Too straight by Arshdeep, shaping back in at the hips. Seifert hops to tickle it fine but fails to lay any bat on it. The ball clips his thigh pad and races down to the deep fine leg fence.

The momentum is with the Kiwis, with New Zealand adding 31 runs in the last three overs. Arshdeep Singh will wrap up the first Powerplay.

FOUR! Through the gap. Not the best of balls by Nabi as this is on a back of a length, outside off. Young waits for the ball to arrive and punches it between cover-point and cover for a four. 15 runs off the over.

Pulls the length back, on off. Seifert glides behind point and gets to the other end.

On the off stump, fractionally short. Seifert taps it to cover.

FOUR! Gets it through! On off and it is slightly short, enough for Seifert to work with. He gets up on his toes to get on top of the bounce and pulls it past the diving Naman Dhir at mid-wicket for a four.

SIX! Clean as a whistle. A length ball by Nabi and he errs in line, offering width. Seifert just extends his hands into the lofted hit and swings through the line, thumping it over wide long off for a maximum. Seifert moves to 44  and this is now his highest ODI score, according to the on-air commentators.

Delivers it on a good length, on off. Seifert punches it on the up to cover.

So, just one over for Brar. And like Arshdeep, Auqib Nabi also switches ends. Also, Simon Doull informs on air that Virat Kohli has left the field. The reason is not known, but Kumar Kushagra is in as his substitute for now.

A play and a miss! Going away with the angle, not all that short. Young looks to punch it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

A bit of shape back into the right-hander, on a length. Seifert nudges it towards wide mid on and picks up a single. The 50 is up for New Zealand, and according to Simon Doull, this is the first time in 8 innings that the Kiwis have an opening stand of fifty or more.

Beaten! Angled away, on the shorter side. Seifert makes a bit of room to open up the off side but is beaten past the outside edge.

Edged, but it does not carry! Pushed across the right-hander, on a nagging length, Seifert brings his bat out in front and presses up on his toes to block. The ball leaves him with the angle to take the outside edge and it dips on Rohit Sharma as he scoops the ball into his grasp. The ball goes into his hand on the bounce and Rohit signals it straight away.

Down leg but within the new tramline that has been introduced recently. Seifert misses out on the glance.

Shaping back in at the pads. Young glances it down to deep fine leg and crosses over.

Change of ends for Arshdeep Singh.

On the shorter side, on off. Seifert stands tall on top of the bounce and punches it straight to cover-point.

FOUR! Banged away. It has not taken long for Brar to get into a verbal battle. Seifert seems to have said something as soon as he played the shot and that seems to have irked Gurnoor. Into the deck, on off. This sits up to be hit for Seifert, who plays the short-arm jab well to the left of mid-wicket for four more. 14 runs off the over with a ball to go.

FOUR! That has raced away. Bashes the hard length, does Brar, on off. Seifert hops and rides the bounce nicely. He uses the pace to steer it between backward point and deep third, beating Kuldeep Yadav to his right in the deep.

Lands it on a good length, on off. Seifert stabs it down from the crease.

SIX! Up, up and away! Brar goes full in an attempt to find some swing but overpitches. This is right in the slot for Seifert, who gets the front leg out of the way and clobbers it over long on for a maximum.

Angled in at the sticks, on a length, that is flicked away but straight to the mid-wicket fielder.

Time for the first change in bowling. Here's Gurnoor Brar, replacing Arshdeep Singh.

A flash and a miss! Young is early to come down the track and Nabi responds by going into the surface. It is a bit too short and the width is there for Young to cash in. He throws the kitchen sink at it but does not connect.

On top off. Seifert skips down the track and, while on the move, he taps it in front of mid on. Kuldeep Yadav swoops in but cannot prevent the batters from taking a quick single.

Another one from Nabi that comes back into the right-hander off a good length. Seifert can't get the flick away and is rapped on the pads.

Opened him up! Nabi goes wide on the crease and hits the good length, angled in on middle. Young is squared up in defence as the ball straightens. It squirts off the outer half to the left of backward point for a single.

Young gives a premeditated charge and Nabi seems to have spotted it. He responds by dragging the length back and this is slanted back in at the pads. Will plays all around it and wears it high on the thigh pad.

Serves it on a good length, around off. Young walks down the track to negate the movement and defends it close to his body.

Stays full and a bit too wide. Seifert extends his hands and creams the drive all along the ground, hitting it to the left of mid off. Shreyas Iyer goes after it and slides to save the boundary. A couple of runs for Tim.

Shouts of 'catch'! Back to over the wicket, full and going away with the angle. Seifert hits through the line and powers the drive away. It goes on the bounce to Shreyas Iyer at mid off, who is a bit deep.

Hurls it on a length, on off. Seifert presses onto the front foot and plays a punchy drive. The ball pings off his blade but he picks out Shreyas Iyer at mid off.

Uppishly played, but safe. Arshdeep switches to around the wicket and attacks the stumps with a length delivery. The ball seems to stop on Seifert as he chips it in front of square on the leg side. It is away from the reach of Naman Dhir at mid-wicket. Dhir gives chase and hauls it in with a slide.

A hint of an inward shape, landing on a good length, around the off pole. Seifert knocks it to cover.

Missed out! Full and angled away. A lot of width for Seifert to cash in, but he goes too hard at the ball and mishits it off the inner half to the right of the bowler.

At 130 kph, a little too short, sitting up to be hit outside off, but Young plays it straight to cover without much timing.

The length is pulled back and the line is closer to the off stump. Young walks a step or two down the track and stabs it down watchfully.

FOUR! Finds the gap perfectly and that will surely relieve him a lot. Full and wide of off, swinging away, Will Young gets to free his arms on the front foot, and creams it through cover and point for a cracking boundary.

Much fuller, 132 kph, on off, Young presses forward and defends it solidly to the off side.

Well bowled! In and around the off stump, on a nagging length. Young shuffles across to get behind the line. It decks away off the surface to go past the outside edge.

A good-length ball and this is angled in at the sticks. Seifert pats it in front of mid on and scampers through for a quick single. Kuldeep Yadav's throw hits the stumps at the bowling end but Tim is in by then.

Fuller and wider on off. Seifert reaches out to drill it through the off side, but the bat turns in his hand. He mishits it off the inner half to mid off and hurries to the other end.

On the off stump, on a back of a length. Tim taps it to cover.

Bowled on a short of a length, on off. Seifert punches it to cover.

Tighter line, on a good length. Seifert dabs it to backward point.

FOUR! Up and over! This is pushed across the off stump, that in-between length, neither full nor short. Seifert is able to hit through the line and he slams it over cover for a boundary.

Around the off stump, on a length. Seifert knocks it to mid off.

PUT DOWN, AGAIN! Twice in two balls, Will Young has gotten a reprieve. Similar line and length as the previous ball, on a good length, just outside the off stump. It nips away to take the outside edge on the attempted block by Young. Rohit Sharma being the lone man at slip he is a bit wide. The keeper, Ishan Kishan goes for the catch with his right hand but the ball does not stick in his mitt and it drops to the ground before he can have a second go.

Dropped again? Going by Kishan's expressions, it looks like he has shelled it. The on-field umpires have sent it upstairs for a review. The replay confirms that the ball is grounded before nestling back into the gloves.

DROPPED! It goes in and out of Rohit Sharma's hands. Maybe this is just the luck Will Young needs. Hits the good length, does Nabi, on a good length, in and around the off stump. Young has to play at it due to the angle. The ball kicks up a bit and straightens off the deck to take the outside edge. Rohit Sharma gets low at slip but the ball hits him on the palm and drops to the ground.

Angled in at the pads, Seifert helps with the angle towards deep fine leg and gets to the other end.

SIX! Watch out on the grass bank! Nabi bangs it into the surface, on off. Seifert gets it at a good height and climbs all over it. He gets his hands high and unleashes the pull in front of square on the leg side for a maximum.

No Ball! Moving away in the air, outside off. Left alone by Seifert. The siren goes off as Nabi has overstepped. Free Hit coming up.

FOUR! That is a lovely shot. Nabi goes full in search of swing, on the off stump. Seifert does not try to overhit this one and just leans into the drive. He presents the full face of the bat and drives it back past the bowler for his first boundary.

Sharp work! Good away shape for Nabi, on a good length, around off. Seifert knocks it on the up and times it well. Virat Kohli flings himself to his right at cover and saves at least a couple of runs for his side.

Auqib Nabi will bowl from the other end. A slip in place for him as well.

FOUR! Width offered and Young cashes in. Not all that short but Singh offers a lot of width. Young frees his arms and slaps it into the turf. It threads the gap between backward point and cover-point. Not the quickest of outfields, but the ball wins the race against Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Nearly dragged it back onto the stumps. The length is pushed up and the line is outside off. Seifert's feet go nowhere and he pushes away from his body. Inside edges it past the stumps and it trickles down to the deep fine leg fence for a run.

Fractionally short and there is a little bit of width. The ball swings back in to cramp Seifert for room slightly but he manages to punch it on the up to Virat Kohli at a catching cover.

Eased away and with that, Young and New Zealand are underway. A lot fuller this time, and it shapes back in. Will stays balanced in the crease and plays a wristy drive to the right of Auqib Nabi at mid on for a single.

The length is pulled back by Arshdeep, in line with the off stump. Young stands tall on his toes and gets on top of the bounce to punch it to cover.

Right on the money. A bit of shape first up for Singh. Nice seam presentation by Arshdeep, who gets the ball to curve back in the air, and it does so late. Bowled on a length at the sticks. Young pushes out in front and ekes out an inside edge onto the front pad.

Right, after a rain-soaked first half of this ODI series, we are finally set for a full game of cricket. The weather is pleasant, with a light breeze blowing across the ground, and the Bay Oval is almost at full capacity, creating a beautiful atmosphere. The two umpires make their way to the middle. Right behind them, Shreyas Iyer leads the Indian team out of the huddle as the players disperse and take up their respective fielding positions. Will Young and Tim Seifert are the two openers for New Zealand, with Young taking the strike. Arshdeep Singh has the new ball and is raring to go. A slip in place and 'Let's Play', commands the umpire. Here we go...

The sun shines brightly in Tauranga as the match officials and the two groups walk out for their national anthems. It will be India's first, followed by New Zealand's.

India (Playing XI) - Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad (In for Shubman Gill), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (C), Ishan Kishan (WK) (In for KL Rahul), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav (In for Anshul Kamboj), Gurnoor Brar, and Arshdeep Singh.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Tim Seifert (WK), Will Young, Nick Kelly (In for Henry Nicholls), Dean Foxcroft (In for Daryl Mitchell), Finn Allen (In for Glenn Phillips), Michael Bracewell (In for Tom Latham), Mitchell Santner (C), Kristian Clarke (In for Nathan Smith), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry (In for Jacob Duffy), and Matthew Fisher.

The skipper of New Zealand - Mitchell Santner has a smile on his face and jokes that he won't be heading to the casino anytime soon. He reckons it should be a good day for cricket, with pace and bounce expected from the surface. Santner informs that they have made 6 changes to the side, with Bracewell, Foxcroft, Allen, Clarke and Henry coming into the XI. He feels this will be a good test of their squad depth against a strong Indian team, especially given the demands of the schedule.

The captain of India - Shreyas Iyer says that when he looked at the wicket yesterday, there was a bit of grass, but notes that it is a bit dry right now and, with dew expected to come, bowling was an obvious choice. He adds that it is important to analyse the matches played so far, although they have not had the opportunity to play complete games. He praises the team's approach and attitude, saying they are treating this game as a knockout and that the next two matches are extremely important. Regarding the team changes, he says Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, and Kuldeep Yadav are making their way into the XI for this game.

TOSS - Mitchell Santner and Shreyas Iyer have made their way out, and it is time for the toss at the Bay Oval. Iyer calls tails, and tails it is. 9 tosses in a row have now landed tails. India elect to BOWL first.

Back to cricket - Here’s a quirky little stat as we build towards the toss. 8 tosses have taken place across the T20I and ODI series so far, and every single one of them has landed tails. The odds of getting 8 tails in a row, assuming a fair and independent toss each time, are just 0.39 per cent, or 1 in 256. Spare a thought for Mitchell Santner, who has managed to win just 1 of the 8 tosses. Perhaps it's time to bring in some outside help. Faf du Plessis tried something similar during the 2019 Test in Ranchi, bringing Temba Bavuma along to the toss in the hope of breaking his run of bad luck. Santner doesn't get to make the call, of course, so the best he can do is pass the flicking duties to a fresh pair of hands. Worth a try, surely.

A century of sporting ties - It isn’t just cricket that has these two nations going head-to-head, as they mark 100 years of sporting ties. Yesterday they locked horns on the football field too. In the first of two friendlies, the All Whites handed the Blue Tigers a heavy 5-0 defeat in Auckland. The second friendly takes place on Sunday in Christchurch, the same day as the fifth ODI here at Bay Oval. Hockey is next, and it is where this century of ties began. In 1926, an Indian Army side featuring Major Dhyan Chand toured New Zealand, the first Indian sporting team from any discipline to do so. A hundred years on, India’s men return for a three-match series at the Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium in Auckland on November 19, 21 and 22.

Opening conundrum - India, meanwhile, are without Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, who have also left for their Test commitments. Shreyas Iyer will lead the side for the first time in ODIs, taking over from Gill. Shubman's absence also leaves an interesting question at the top of the order. Who partners Rohit Sharma? Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad are the two options, and it will be intriguing to see which way India go. With Anshul Kamboj also unavailable, Mohammed Siraj is likely to return to the XI. Should he get his chance, he will be keen to find his rhythm ahead of the Test series.

Big shoes to fill - There are a few changes to talk about in both camps, with players leaving to begin their respective Test preparations. New Zealand have been hit harder in the batting department, with Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Henry Nicholls having departed. That is plenty of experience to lose, especially with the batting yet to click in the series. However, it opens the door for others to step up. Finn Allen, Nick Kelly and Mitchell Hay are among those who can make the most of the chance and put their names in the frame for the ODI World Cup.

The stage is set - After following us through three different cities, the rain has finally taken the hint and left us alone. It’s a lovely, sunny afternoon in Mount Maunganui, and we hope for more of the same on Sunday. On that bright note, hello and welcome to our coverage of the fourth ODI at Bay Oval. New Zealand can’t win the series anymore, but they can stop India from winning it, and that’s enough motivation. India haven’t won an ODI series in New Zealand since 2019, and the hosts would love to keep it that way.

... MATCH DAY ...

Rain rain go away - If this series had a theme song, it would be a drizzle on a tin roof. The weather has been the most reliable performer on show in this five-match ODI series so far, and the IPL trade window coming in with some spicy trade deals has given us more fireworks than the cricket has. Fair's fair. Auckland and Wellington both had their overs snipped short by the clouds, and Hamilton didn’t get a ball bowled. Now the circus rolls into Mount Maunganui for the fourth ODI, and the forecast is giving us the same gloomy look - grey skies, and fingers crossed. Series outlook - Through all the stop-start chaos, the Men in Blue have stayed sharp. They dominated in Auckland, then came within a whisker of a DLS win in 'Windy Welly' to go 2-0 up. With Hamilton washed out and two games left, there’s good news for the visitors - the series can't slip away from them now, and the worst New Zealand can manage is a share of the spoils, which the hosts would be desperate for. It would also be a bit of payback, too, after the Kiwis went to India earlier this year and beat the hosts handsomely. A win at Mount Maunganui and India will wrap up the series, and it would be the first time since 2019 that New Zealand will lose an ODI series to the Men in Blue on their own soil. All that's left to ask is whether the weather will let us see a proper finish. SQUAD RESHUFFLES AHEAD OF THE RED-BALL RUNS - INDIA - Leadership and pace rejig - With a crucial Test series and other important assignments looming ahead, both camps have been busy at the whiteboard. India's biggest move is at the top. Shubman Gill steps away for the final two ODIs so he can gear up for the two-match Test series, and Shreyas Iyer picks up the captain’s armband in his absence. It’s a smart bit of workload planning, with Gill’s eyes firmly on the longer format. There's a change in the bowling department too. Anshul Kamboj, who kept things tight and disciplined in the first two ODIs, makes way, and Yash Thakur comes in to join the pace quartet of Arshdeep, Nabi, Siraj and Brar. Thakur featured in the T20I series in Zimbabwe earlier this year and has earned his maiden ODI call-up now. Kamboj's early work deserves a nod, but with the squads being rejigged, the selectors have chosen to spread the opportunities around. Fresh faces, familiar core - Batting-wise, the two stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, continue to anchor a solid top order, so the big names stay put. The shake-up comes a little lower down. KL Rahul gets a well-earned breather, and Tilak Varma slots in to bolster a middle order that also features Ishan Kishan, Dhir and Nitish Reddy. Ruturaj Gaikwad is another talented option waiting patiently in the wings, should the call come. There's a fresh face in the mix as well. To add all-round depth and spin options alongside Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, the boy from Bokaro, Kumar Kushagra, has earned his maiden ODI call-up. A proud moment for a small-town lad, and one worth cheering. NEW ZEALAND - Shuffling the roster - The Black Caps have shaken things up too. A 13-man squad has been named for the fourth ODI, and four familiar faces are missing. Tom Latham, the man leading the Test side, and Henry Nicholls, a player the team can scarcely do without, Daryl Mitchell, one of the most consistent performers for New Zealand in all formats, and the one and only Glenn Phillips, sit out the last two ODIs. So who steps up? The bash brothers, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, stay at the head of the batting line-up, with Will Young the likely pick at number three as the most experienced batter in the group. Mitchell Hay, a keeper-batter, arrives to give the lineup extra batting depth, and Nick Kelly, another young talent on the rise, is expected to slot in as well. There’s also a chance for Dean Foxcroft. The all-rounder, who bowls right-arm leg-spin, gets a look-in and gives the Kiwis a handy spin option alongside the metronomic duo of Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell. Plenty in the pace pipeline -  If there’s one department where the Kiwis can breathe easy, it’s the fast-bowling cupboard. A few key names are out injured or sidelined, but the production line keeps humming, and there’s no shortage of options waiting for a go. One of them is Kristian Clarke, who could get his chance at Bay Oval. Better still for the hosts, Matt Henry is back in the mix and fit to go. He had been recovering from a concussion after a collision with teammate Devon Conway during a training session at Eden Park ahead of the first ODI, and his return is a timely boost. Team form (Last 5 completed ODIs, recent first) - NZ - LLLWW | IND - WWLWW. What to expect? The optimist in us is hoping for less rain. Of course, that's out of everyone's hands, so all we can do is keep our fingers crossed and look to the heavens. Whatever the weather does, the quicks have relished this damp, seamer-friendly series, and Bay Oval is unlikely to change that story. The numbers also point towards chasing. Of late, this ground has been a safe haven for the side batting second, with four of the last five ODIs won by the team chasing. Win the toss, and the decision may just make itself. Here's hoping for a cracker of a game.