IND vs NZ, 5th ODI: India asked to bat first with Rohit and Kohli opening

India were asked to bat first in the fifth ODI between India and New Zealand on Sunday on the park, with New Zealand electing to bowl and Rohit Sharma set to open alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad.

The national anthems were completed before play and the crowd was described as filling up on a glorious Sunday afternoon; Mitchell Santner led New Zealand onto the field and Rohit Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad walked out to open the innings for India. Jacob Duffy was named to start with the new ball and two slips were in place for the first delivery. India’s recent heavy defeat was referenced ahead of this match and Ruturaj Gaikwad spoke about the need to move on quickly and adapt to conditions.

The opening over produced a boundary when Jacob Duffy delivered to Rohit Sharma and the batter lofted it over the infield for four, followed shortly by a wide that the batter played and missed. Duffy then bowled a back-of-a-length delivery recorded at 135 kph around off stump which Rohit knocked back towards the bowler, before a fuller ball showing a hint of away shape was dabbed by Sharma down towards point. Duffy also angled one in towards off which went past the bat, and Rohit pressed half-forward to block and was beaten past the outside edge.

New Zealand’s playing XI was listed as Tim Seifert (WK), Will Young, Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Kristian Clarke, Blair Tickner (In for Matt Henry), Jacob Duffy (In for Kyle Jamieson) and Matthew Fisher. India’s XI was Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Mohammed Siraj (In for Kuldeep Yadav), Arshdeep Singh and Yash Thakur (On ODI debut and in for Gurnoor Brar).

India captain Shreyas Iyer said they would have bowled first as well but was quick to add that "it's a good sign that they are batting first this time." He added that the team had a relaxed day coming into this game, which was crucial for getting good rest, and admitted that although the last match was disappointing, their spirits remain high. On Yash Thakur's debut he called him a jovial character who has been waiting for the chance to represent his country and has been in the scheme of things for some time; "he is glad Thakur is getting the opportunity to prove himself and wishes him luck on his debut." On Mohammed Siraj's return, Iyer said that "he has been craving an opportunity to play across formats," adding that Siraj "has been around the team for a while, understands how to go about things, and that India are super excited to have him back."

Ruturaj Gaikwad, reflecting on the previous game, said it was important to move on as quickly as possible and that "the bowling from the New Zealand quicks was just world-class." He praised Matt Henry and Jamieson for bowling "great lines and lengths," added that India knew someone of Henry's calibre would be more than a handful on a pitch like this, and admitted he had been looking to build a partnership in the previous game but could not quite get going. Gaikwad also stressed the importance of adapting to the conditions and pointed to Will Young's hundred in the last match, "despite being given a couple of lives," as a reminder for India to make the most of their opportunities.

Mitchell Santner, who informed reporters that Tickner and Duffy come into the side, joked that he was not quite sure what to do having not expected to win the toss and confirmed New Zealand would bowl first. He added there could be a few showers later along with the possibility of dew, factors that influenced the decision, and touched on the quick turnaround after a late finish by noting the importance of recovering well and getting ready for another big game. Santner said that with the packed schedule it is important to rotate players and that New Zealand feel they have plenty of depth to call upon.

Play began with Jacob Duffy taking the new ball and Rohit Sharma facing the first delivery with two slips in place; the match is under way and proceedings will continue on the field.