India head coach Gautam Gambhir did not hold back after the side’s heavy 244-run defeat to New Zealand in the fourth ODI at Bay Oval. The visitors were bowled out for just 89 while chasing 334, with the collapse
coming in only 26.4 overs. Gambhir rejected any suggestion that the deliveries were too difficult to handle.
“First of all, there are no unplayable deliveries to be honest in international cricket. You should be able to cope with any kind of deliveries,” he said. He noted that conditions in New Zealand, where the new ball seams, were expected and that India had found similar help when they bowled.
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The bigger issue for him was the speed of the collapse and its implications. “You’re always concerned when you get bundled out for 90-odd. Why won’t I be concerned? I think I will be concerned because, obviously, these are conditions which are going to be closest to what we might get during the World Cup,” Gambhir said.
New Zealand beat India by 244 runs as visitors get bowled out for 89
New Zealand produced a dominant all-round display to beat India by 244 runs in the fourth ODI at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. Batting first after India chose to field, the hosts posted 333 all out in 50 overs. Will Young led the way with a fine 125 off 108 balls, while Tim Seifert contributed a brisk 58. India managed early breakthroughs but dropped chances proved costly. The chase never got going for India as Matt Henry produced a sensational opening over. He dismissed Rohit Sharma (caught), Virat Kohli (bowled) and captain Shreyas Iyer (lbw) for ducks to leave India at 0 for 3.
Kyle Jamieson soon removed Ruturaj Gaikwad, and the innings continued to crumble. Ishan Kishan (27), Axar Patel (21) and Naman Dhir (21) offered brief resistance, but Henry returned to finish with outstanding figures of 6 for 27. Matthew Fisher picked up three wickets as India were all out for 89 in 26.4 overs. The defeat is one of India’s largest by runs in ODIs. India’s bowling had shown control at times, with Axar Patel economical, yet fielding lapses and a complete batting failure against disciplined seam bowling decided the match in favor of hosts.
