NZ vs IND: Dhoni declared fit for fifth ODI

Dhoni had missed the third and fourth ODIs with a hamstring injury.

Dhoni had missed the third and fourth ODIs with a hamstring injury.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has regained full fitness and will play the fifth and final ODI against New Zealand at the Westpac Stadium, India’s assistant coach Sanjay Bangar confirmed on Saturday.

Dhoni had missed the third and fourth ODIs with a hamstring injury.

“Yes, he is fit and will be playing the fifth ODI,” Bangar told reporters on the eve of the game.

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The 37-year-old won the man of the series award in the recent three-ODI series against Australia after scoring three fifties.

He continued in the same vein in the ongoing series against New Zealand, scoring an unbeaten 33-ball 48 to take India to 324-4 in the second ODI.

Dhoni’s experience in the middle order was missed when India, crippled by Trent Boult’s fiery five-wicket haul, was all out for its seventh-lowest ODI total — 92 in 30.5 overs — as the host side cruised to an eight-wicket win in the fourth ODI.