Arshdeep Singh delivered a match-winning all-round performance — smashing a blistering 14 off 4 balls at number 11 and then claiming 3 for 30 — as India beat New Zealand by 22 runs in the fifth ODI at Mount Maunganui on Sunday, 15 November 2026, to clinch the series 3-1. The left-arm pacer was awarded Player of the Match for his contributions at both ends of the game.

Arshdeep's batting cameo: Small innings, big impact

When India were stuttering in their final overs, Arshdeep walked in at number 11 and struck two sixes in four balls, helping India post 209 — a total that proved decisive. His last-wicket stand of 26 runs with Mohammed Siraj turned out to be the difference between a competitive and a defendable score.

'I love my batting. Even if I'm batting at eleven, I enjoy it. And always trying to create room for myself and smash it. But some people on my team say that I'm scared of the ball. But I take it. I create room,' Arshdeep said after collecting the Player of the Match award.

The pacer acknowledged that the significance of that last-wicket partnership only sank in after the team came off the field. 'Siraj told me that these runs will be very crucial. And we made sure we went above 200 and that was a little thought in mind: we had crossed a small milestone there and had some runs to bowl at,' he added.

Bowling with discipline when wickets wouldn't come

With the ball, Arshdeep's figures of 3 for 30 kept New Zealand to 187 in their chase, never allowing them to find the momentum needed to overhaul India's total. He stressed that the bowling unit's patience under pressure was key to the result.

'I feel like we kept coming and we were very disciplined with our areas and we didn't let go of that thing even when we were not getting the results, we were not getting the wickets. But we kept bowling that and eventually got the results,' he said.

Notably, this disciplined approach reflects a broader maturity in India's pace attack under pressure — something the squad has been building across this tour of New Zealand.

Engagement at Mount Maunganui beach

Off the field, Arshdeep had even more reason to celebrate. The pacer, who recently moved to Mumbai Indians via a trade ahead of the IPL auction, got engaged to his girlfriend, actor Samreen Kaur, at Mount Maunganui beach — the same venue where he had just lit up the scoreboard.

'I mean, God has been really grateful and kind to me. I've got a really nice partner. She's very supportive and always helps me stay in the right mindset. So yes, a lot of credit goes to her as well, the way I am on the field depends a lot on how I'm working off the field,' he said.

Reflecting on the engagement itself, he added: 'I was pretty tense but yes, the view helped and it feels pretty nice.' With both a series win and a personal milestone sealed at Mount Maunganui, Arshdeep heads into the next phase of his career — with Mumbai Indians and a new chapter in his personal life — on an extraordinary high.