New Zealand vs India 2019: 3 important takeaways from the 4th ODI

Modified Jan 31, 2019 17:29 IST

The 4th ODI between New Zealand and India, played at Hamilton, got over quicker than anybody would have imagined. The hosts came back strongly with an 8-wicket win and plenty of balls to spare.

New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first. Faced with a bit of swing early on, India got dismissed for 92-10 in just 30.5 overs. That made the run chase very easy for the New Zealanders, who got home in just 14.4 overs.

Few would have expected such a result, especially after the dominant performance from India in the first three ODI games.

Here are the three important take-aways from the match:

#1 The Men in Blue without their leaders:

The Indian team ran the show during the first three ODIs against New Zealand. Virat Kohli provided the much-needed stability for the side in his three innings with the bat, where he got a total of 148. The third ODI saw him scoring 60 runs from 74 balls.

MS Dhoni got only one innings to bat in during the series but still made a mark, with his quickfire 48 taking the team to a 300+ total. His excellent stumping of the dangerous Ross Taylor in the same match profited the team immensely.

Without the former captain MSD, who is recovering from an injury he sustained earlier on, and the current captain Kohli who is out for rest, India got broken easily. This shows the value of these two key players to the side.

Their experience and solidity are much-required assets for the team in the ICC World Cup 2019.

#2 The lightning bolt strikes

Before the start of the match, several predictions were made as to who might benefit the most from Kohli's absence. Little did we expect that the Black Caps' bowlers would be the ones to benefit.

Trent Boult shone the brightest, taking his fifth five-wicket haul in ODIs, equaling the legendary Sir Richard Hadlee's New Zealand record in the process. He was awarded the Player of the Match for his wonderful run with the ball.

India's top three consisting of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill all fell to Boult.

India all out for 92 at Seddon Park. Trent Boult leading the attack with 5-21. His fifth five wicket haul in ODIs equaling Sir Richard Hadlee's New Zealand record. Chase to come! Scorecard | https://t.co/GB9AZdmmkL #NZvIND 📷= @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/oKHGhrml3a
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 31, 2019

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New Zealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme got his best bowling figures in ODIs of 3/26 in this match, overtaking his previous best of 2/36 against Pakistan. This game saw the all-rounder destroying the middle order. Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik were dismissed for ducks by Grandhomme.

This brings back to life the much debated 'number four' conundrum for Team India on the road to World Cup 2019. It remains to be seen if Rayudu steps up in the fifth ODI.

#3 The batting concerns for Team India

Rohit Sharma reached the milestone of 200 ODIs with this match. Much was expected from the Hitman but he fell cheaply, getting just 7 in the 23 balls he faced.

His batting was sub-par in the match, and the middle order which was responsible for holding the innings together, did not make up for the poor start.

The visitors got out for their seventh lowest total in ODIs, which was successfully chased down in just 14.4 overs. The bowlers were good, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar taking two key wickets, but the low total had already done the damage.

The Hitman is not someone to be counted out yet. He had some great achievements in 2018, winning the Asia Cup and Nidahas Trophy, and has more than what it takes to carry the burden of captaincy.

This is just one of those instances where the mighty ones fell unexpectedly. It remains to be seen whether the poor performances continue in the last remaining ODI and the subsequent T20I series.

What are your opinions on the match? Do you expect the Rohit-led Indian side to bounce back in the remaining tour games? Comment below.