India have a chance to wrap up the ODI series against New Zealand on Friday, November 13, when the two teams meet in the fourth match at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. India lead the five-match series 2-0 after the third ODI in Hamilton was washed out without a result.
Match details
- Match: 4th ODI, New Zealand vs India
- Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
- Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
- Start: 3:00 pm local time, which is 7:30 am IST
How the series has gone
Both completed matches so far have been tight, and both were decided by the DLS method after rain.
- 1st ODI, Auckland (Nov 4): India won by 5 wickets (DLS)
- 2nd ODI, Wellington (Nov 7): India won by 4 runs (DLS)
- 3rd ODI, Hamilton (Nov 10): no result, abandoned
A win on Friday gives India an unbeatable 3-0 lead. New Zealand must win both remaining games just to draw the series.
What to watch
Weather has been the biggest opponent so far, and teams will keep an eye on the forecast again. Bay Oval is a compact ground with a quick outfield, so totals here can be high when the sun is out. Captains often prefer to chase at this venue, especially in a day-night game when dew can make bowling harder later.
India’s bowlers have done well to defend and restrict in the shortened games. New Zealand, on home turf, will look to their pace attack to make early breakthroughs with the new ball.
After the ODIs
The fifth ODI is at the same venue on November 15. After that, the tour moves to Test cricket:
- 1st Test: Wellington, November 19 to 23
- 2nd Test: Christchurch, November 27 to December 1
Earlier on this tour, India won the first three T20Is before New Zealand hit back to take the last two. A series win in the ODIs would give India a good boost before the red-ball games.
Several India players, including Arshdeep Singh, are also in the news off the field this week because of IPL trade talks ahead of the November 17 retention deadline. The team management will want the focus to stay on finishing the job in New Zealand.
For fans in India, the early 7:30 am start means breakfast with cricket on Friday. If the rain stays away, this one could settle the series.
Fixtures and results based on ESPN.
Featured image: Panamitsu, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
