Shreyas Iyer outfoxed New Zealand with smart bowling changes, admits Santner

Mitchell Santner praised Shreyas Iyer's tactical acumen after India defeated New Zealand by 22 runs in the fifth ODI to clinch the series 3-1. Iyer's decision to hold back Axar Patel and rely on his pacers, particularly Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh, proved decisive.Mitchell Santner praised Shreyas Iyer for making smart bowling changes. Courtesy: APNew Delhi,Nov 15, 2026 18:58 ISTNew Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner was impressed with Shreyas Iyer's tactical acumen after India defended a modest total of 209 to secure a 22-run victory in the fifth and final ODI at Mount Maunganui on Sunday. Iyer's decision to rely on his fast bowlers and hold back Axar Patel proved crucial as India bowled New Zealand out for 187 in 48.1 overs to clinch the series 3-1.Chasing 210, New Zealand were in a reasonable position at 64 for 1 before India's bowlers turned the game around. Iyer resisted the temptation to introduce spin early and waited until the 36th over to bring Axar into the attack. The move underlined his reading of the conditions, with the seamers finding enough assistance to trouble the New Zealand batters.“I think Shreyas was great with the way he rotated his bowlers. He obviously held off Axar, knowing that the seamers were the threat. There were a couple of moments when they brought back their strike bowlers to get wickets,” Santner said in the post-match press conference.NZ vs IND, 5th ODI: HIGHLIGHTS PACERS DELIVER WHEN INDIA NEED THEMMohammed Siraj provided India with an important breakthrough by dismissing Tim Seifert for 14 before removing Finn Allen to prevent New Zealand from building momentum at the top of the order. Arshdeep Singh, meanwhile, led the attack with impressive figures of 10-2-30-3. He picked up the wickets of Will Young, Nick Kelly and Kristian Clarke, keeping the pressure firmly on the hosts.Yash Thakur and Auqib Nabi also chipped in with important wickets, while Axar eventually dismissed Jacob Duffy and Blair Tickner. Naman Dhir accounted for Santner as New Zealand's middle order failed to mount a recovery. Santner felt India's decision to persist with pace was central to the outcome, particularly with the target not being particularly challenging.“I think Shreyas knew the threat was from the seamers and went all out with them. As a batting unit, if you can prolong that phase, there isn't a lot of scoreboard pressure with 200 on the board. The longer you can take it, the better your chances,” Santner said.He also admitted that New Zealand found it comparatively easier to negotiate the spin bowling but failed to capitalise when India's strike bowlers returned.“I think spin felt a little easier to face. If we could have got through those couple of phases, particularly when Mohammed Siraj was brought back and Arshdeep Singh picked up wickets, we could have cashed in,” Santner added.India will now turn their attention to the two-match Test series against New Zealand, with the first Test scheduled to begin in Wellington on November 19.- Ends