Now Reading: India Eye Series Win as 4th ODI Heads to Bay Oval
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India Eye Series Win as 4th ODI Heads to Bay Oval
India are one win away from sealing the series. The 4th ODI against New Zealand at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Friday, November 13, 2026 gives the visitors a chance to clinch the rubber with a match to spare. After a washout in Hamilton, the action shifts to a ground where India have plenty of history.
India Arrive With a 2-0 Lead
India lead the five-match series 2-0 and need just one more victory to wrap it up. New Zealand must win to stay alive.
The 3rd ODI in Hamilton was abandoned without a ball bowled because of rain. It also meant New Zealand’s home bilateral-ODI winning streak stayed at 11 and was not extended.
How the Series Has Unfolded
1st ODI, Auckland: Kohli and Gill Set the Tone
New Zealand were bowled out for 185 in 40.2 overs. India chased the DLS target of 143 in 22.4 overs and won by 5 wickets.
Virat Kohli top-scored with 74, and Shubman Gill added 37. The pair shared a 113-run stand that took the game away from the hosts.
2nd ODI, Wellington: A Four-Run Thriller
The second game was far tighter. India posted 113/7 in 26 overs, and New Zealand were dismissed for 134 while chasing a revised DLS target. India won by just 4 runs.
Gurnoor Brar was the standout with 4 wickets for 30 runs. Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Anshul Kamboj took 2 wickets each in support.
| Match | Venue | Result | Key Performer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Auckland | India won by 5 wickets (DLS) | Virat Kohli, 74 |
| 2nd ODI | Wellington | India won by 4 runs (DLS) | Gurnoor Brar, 4/30 |
| 3rd ODI | Hamilton | Abandoned, no ball bowled | N/A |
What Is India’s Record at Bay Oval?
India have played three men’s ODIs at Bay Oval, all against New Zealand, and have won two of them. It is a strong record, though not a perfect one.
A Look Back at the Three Matches
India won the first by 90 runs on January 26, 2019, after batting first. Two days later, on January 28, 2019, they won the second by 7 wickets while chasing.
The third, on February 11, 2020, went the other way. India posted 296/7 but lost by 5 wickets under revised conditions.
| Date | Batting | Result |
|---|---|---|
| January 26, 2019 | India batted first | India won by 90 runs |
| January 28, 2019 | India chased | India won by 7 wickets |
| February 11, 2020 | India 296/7 | New Zealand won by 5 wickets |
What the Venue Numbers Say
Bay Oval has hosted 13 men’s ODIs since opening in 2015. The average first-innings score there is 277.2.
That points to a ground where batters can score freely. A total near 280 has usually been competitive, and India’s 296/7 in 2020 was still not enough on a day affected by revised conditions.
Key Stats at a Glance
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Series score | India 2-0 New Zealand |
| India’s Bay Oval ODIs | 3 played, 2 won |
| Bay Oval men’s ODIs hosted | 13 |
| Average first-innings score | 277.2 |
| NZ home bilateral-ODI streak | 11 |
What to Watch in the 4th ODI
The pressure sits firmly on New Zealand. Another loss would hand India the series with a game still to play.
India’s bowling depth has been a key strength. Brar’s spell in Wellington showed they can win low-scoring games, and Kohli and Gill have shown they can finish chases quickly.
The insight for this match is simple. With rain disrupting the series, whoever handles the conditions and the toss better could gain the decisive edge.
New Zealand will want to restart their home momentum at Bay Oval. India will want to turn a 2-0 lead into a series win.
