Batters Bowled Out
India head coach Gautam Gambhir voiced serious concerns over his team’s batting collapses after a 244-run defeat to New Zealand in the fourth ODI in Mount Maunganui, Cricinfo reported.
India were bowled out for 89 during the match on Friday, following an earlier wobble in the series where they slipped to 111 for 7 chasing 135 in the second ODI. India hold a 2-1 lead in the five-match series ahead of the final fixture at the same venue on Sunday.
“There’s no benefit to sweeping it under the carpet,” Gambhir said in his post-match press conference on Friday night. “It isn’t just this match. Even in the previous match, we were seven down for 111 or 112. Today we lost, so we are talking about it.”
The losses come in conditions that Gambhir views as an important preview for next year’s World Cup in Southern Africa. He said that while surfaces in India offer little assistance to bowlers, New Zealand conditions provide a proper contest between bat and ball.
“You are always concerned when you get bundled out for 90-odd, why won’t I be concerned?” Gambhir said.
Matt Henry Strikes
New Zealand bowler Matt Henry dismantled India’s top order on Friday, taking 6 for 27 in his first match of the series. His spell included three wickets in a single opening over that removed Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer without scoring.
“Ultimately, whether it is wobble seam or an upright seam, there was not much deviation,” Gambhir said of Henry’s bowling. “I thought more than the wobble seam, it’s the areas that has probably created a problem for us. It’s that length, because it was that length where you couldn’t go forward, you couldn’t go back.”
While India’s seamers faced difficulties, Gambhir defended their efforts, pointing out that Auqib Nabi found Will Young’s edge twice early in the innings only for catches to be dropped. Young capitalized on the reprieves to score 125 runs.
India changes bowling lineup for the fourth match
India altered their bowling lineup for the fourth match by bringing in wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav in place of Anshul Kamboj, who departed for the Test squad camp in Wellington. The decision left fast bowler Mohammed Siraj on the bench.
Kuldeep conceded 73 runs in eight wicketless overs, but Gambhir rejected suggestions that a lack of recent matches caused the spinner’s struggles.
“Whatever opportunities you get, you try and make the most of it,” Gambhir said.
When and where the final match occurs
When and where is the final match of the series?
The fifth and final ODI takes place on Sunday in Mount Maunganui.
What was India’s lowest total in the recent matches against New Zealand?
India were bowled out for 89 during their 244-run defeat in the fourth ODI.
Who took six wickets for New Zealand in the fourth ODI?
Matt Henry picked up 6 for 27, including three wickets in his first over.
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