Last Updated on 4 hours ago by Charbel Coorey
New Zealand have dished out an almighty thrashing in Mount Maunganui, handing India their second-biggest defeat in terms of runs in ODIs. In his first match of the series, Matt Henry had the ball on a string, ending India’s chase of 334 in the first over after dismissing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer for a duck.
In the first ball of the chase, Henry opened Rohit right up with a delivery that straightened off the pitch. Rohit could only manage an edge to Finn Allen at first slip. Four balls later, Kohli was done by a delivery that nipped back and stayed low, sending a huge dagger to India’s hopes of a series-clinching victory. Captain Shreyas was then dismissed LBW for a golden duck.
“I was keeping things simple in the first over. Got a bit of luck, one shot a bit low,” Henry said after the match. “I wasn’t worried about swing with the wind in play, just wanted to hit the string, bring the stumps into play.”
The Black Caps were rampant. Kyle Jamieson soon dismissed Ruturaj Gaikwad after a painstaking 13-ball stay. It could have been even worse for India had Nick Kelly taken an easy chance at point off Axar Patel’s first ball.
However, the result was a formality. Wickets continued to fall as Matthew Fisher (3/31) didn’t let up. India then fell to 66/7 and were eventually bowled out for 89. Only Ishan Kishan (27), Axar Patel (21) and Naman Dhir (21) crossed double figures.
New Zealand hit 333 and dismiss India inside 27 overs
Earlier, Will Young made India pay for missed opportunities. Opening the batting, Young hit a career-best 125 off 108 balls, combining with Tim Seifert (58) and Finn Allen (41) for 85 and 100-run partnerships respectively.
India captain Shreyas Iyer said batting conditions were batter in the first innings compared to the second.
“There was a huge difference between the wicket between innings. Credit to Henry and how he bowled. Sensational,” said Shreyas. “We thought the wicket was a belter considering how they hit on the up and got 330. Couple of drops but that happens.
“In the break, we thought we would cruise through the chase. But the wicket seamed, you couldn’t tell how you’d go out and play. No one threw their wickets either. Gotta forget this one after analysing what went right and wrong and come in with a fresh mind.”
NZ vs IND 4th ODI Twitter Reactions: New Zealand thrash India by 244 runs
Fans reacted to New Zealand’s excellent performance, while India were criticised for their showing.
