The fourth ODI hinted at a New Zealand revival. Their approach was certainly different and refreshing. It was visible in their batting and bowling, and they were just about pinned down only because of Yusuf Pathan's brutality. Their fans will hope that New Zealand continue with this positive approach in the final ODI. Despite being put into bat under overcast conditions in Bangalore, they weren't circumspect. They didn't focus on survival, as they had tried to do but failed earlier in the series, but chose to attack. It didn't feel like a desperate attempt either - they never swung wildly - but a positive strategy to turn their fortunes around. Their bowlers too, nearly did the job, but were shoved out of the contest by a violent knock. They haven't won an ODI in nearly four months and something had to give. This new approach might well be the right path to lead them out of the hole.
For their part, India are likely to view the top-order collapse in Bangalore as an aberration and revel in the fact that the situation produced the best out of Yusuf, and raised hope of removing a weak-link in the lower order. They might also see their death-over bowling woes in the last game - 63 runs in the last five overs - as an aberration as it was Ashish Nehra, normally their best bowler in such situations, who gave away 38 in his last two overs. And even then, just like New Zealand didn't account for Yusuf, India were blindsided by James Franklin.
Pitch and conditions
The good news is that Chennai, which had heavy rains earlier in the week, hasn't seen a downpour since Wednesday. The bad news, though, is that the forecast suggests that it might rain on Friday.
Form guide
(completed matches, most recent first)
India:WWWWW
New Zealand: LLLLL.....
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