Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui witnessed a landmark moment on Sunday, November 15, as right-arm fast-medium bowler Yash Thakur walked out for the fifth and final ODI of the series against New Zealand, becoming the 267th player to represent India in the 50-over format. The occasion marked his maiden ODI cap, completing a rapid rise through the international ranks for the Kolkata-born seamer.

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first in the series decider. Mohammed Siraj was also included in India's playing XI for the match after being released from Test squad duties to feature in this concluding fixture. India captain Shreyas Iyer expressed his happiness at the toss that Thakur was receiving his maiden international opportunity in the 50-over format, underlining the selectors' confidence in the young pacer.

Who is Yash Thakur?

Yash Thakur was born on December 28, 1998, in Kolkata, West Bengal, and has built his reputation as a right-arm fast-medium bowler through sustained performances on the domestic circuit. His journey to the ODI arena was preceded by an earlier international breakthrough in the shortest format: he made his T20I debut against Zimbabwe on July 25, 2026, earning cap number 124 in that format and signalling his arrival on the senior stage.

His ODI call-up followed in October 2026, when selectors named him in India's squad for the New Zealand tour. He was picked specifically for the final two matches of the series, and the fifth ODI at Bay Oval on November 15 provided the stage for his 50-over international bow.

What does India's playing XI look like for the 5th ODI?

India's lineup for the fifth ODI at Mount Maunganui combines experienced names with players still establishing their international credentials. Rohit Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad open the batting, with Virat Kohli slotting in at number three. Shreyas Iyer leads the side, while Ishan Kishan takes the gloves behind the stumps. Naman Dhir and Axar Patel provide middle-order depth and all-round balance, and Auqib Nabi adds spin variety to the attack.

The pace department is shared among Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj and the debutant Thakur. Siraj's return after being released from Test duties brings proven experience to a bowling group that also carries the freshness of Thakur's first ODI appearance. Together, the three seamers give India a varied and potent pace attack as the series concludes at Bay Oval.