India head coach Gautam Gambhir has made it clear that the team’s batting collapse against New Zealand cannot simply be forgotten. With India leading the three-match series 2-1, attention now turns to the fifth and final ODI at Mount Maunganui, where the visitors will look to bounce back and secure the series. Despite holding the advantage, India have not been entirely convincing with the bat. New Zealand, meanwhile, will be eager to carry the momentum from their emphatic fourth ODI victory into the series decider.

With the next World Cup also in focus, both teams will have another opportunity to assess their combinations and identify areas for improvement. Both sides will make changes to their bowling attacks for the final match. New Zealand will be without Matt Henry, who delivered a match-winning six-wicket haul in the previous ODI, and Kyle Jamieson, as both have been released for Test preparations. India will also miss Gurnoor Brar, who has joined the Test squad in Wellington.

Henry’s absence could provide some relief for India’s struggling batting line-up. However, New Zealand will take confidence from Will Young’s return to form and expect their remaining bowling options to step up.

ALSO READ: Kris Srikkanth Warns Shreyas Iyer To Be Careful After Poor Run Of Form In ODIs

Pace bowlers found assistance during the fourth ODI, although India captain Shreyas Iyer highlighted the difference in pitch behaviour between the two innings. “There was a huge difference in the first innings and the second innings in terms of [the] wicket,” Iyer had said.

India have won the toss in all the matches so far in the series. If that trend continues in the decider, their decision could play an important role in determining the contest. The weather forecast also points towards another clear day, offering favourable conditions for a full match.

New Zealand

New Zealand are expected to make further changes to their playing XI for the fifth ODI, with Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson joining the Test squad. Jacob Duffy is likely to fill one vacancy, while Blair Tickner, subject to concussion recovery, and uncapped pacer Brett Randell could compete for the other spot. Josh Clarkson may replace Kristian Clarke, while Mitch Hay and Dean Foxcroft are contenders for a place in the batting order.

Probable XI: Tim Seifert (wk), Will Young, Nick Kelly, Dean Foxcroft, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kristian Clarke, Blair Tickner, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher.

India

India could also make changes, with Mohammed Siraj likely to get an opportunity in the series decider. Kuldeep Yadav struggled in his first match of the tour as New Zealand attacked him during the middle overs. Meanwhile, Gurnoor Brar, India’s leading wicket-taker in the ODI series so far, has joined the Test squad and will miss the final ODI. His absence could open the door for Siraj to feature in his first match of the tour and assess his form ahead of the Test series.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Kuldeep Yadav/Yash Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.