India Beat New Zealand by 35 Runs to Win The Series by 4-1

India - 252 /10 ( 49.5 Overs)

New Zealand - 217/10 (44.1 Overs)

India has once again shown it's wonderful to play with winning the NZ-Ind five-match ODI series with 4-1. India defeated New Zealand by 35 runs in the 5th and final ODI at the Westpac stadium in Wellington.

Rohit won the toss and opted to test his batting line-up first up on a pitch that had some moisture. The demons of Hamilton reappeared when India was pinned down to 18 for 4 by the moving ball.

Vijay Shankar, who got a game in place of Kuldeep Yadav, impressed with an ice-cool 45 in a 98-run stand with Rayudu. Vijay fell to an awful mix-up and sacrificed his wicket, but Rayudu moved to 90. Pandya then provided the finishing kick with a slew of sixes, including three on the trot off Astle. India has managed to get 252 runs on the board.

While New Zealand came to chase the target set, the hosts were bundled out for 217 runs in 44.1 overs. The early strikes by Mohammed Shami helped India take control early in the match. Hardik Pandya then removed Ross Taylor when the scoreboard read 38/3. Kane Williamson and Tom Latham then put up a fighting 67-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Williamson was dismissed for 39 off 73 balls by Kedar Jadhav. Following the quick dismissals of Williamson and Latham, it was James Neesham who looked dangerous to take the game away from India's grasp. But it was a brilliant presence of mind by wicket-keeper MS Dhoni who inflicted a run out after an LBW appeal against Neesham was turned down by the umpire. Following the wicket of Neesham, the New Zealand tailenders failed to add much to the total.

Amabati Raydu was named man-of-the-match for his splendid 90.