New Zealand beat India by 19 runs in 4th ODI

His strokeful 72 helped New Zealand notch up a series-levelling 19-run win over India but opener Martin Guptill said it wasn’t a fluent knock as the condition was tough to bat once the ball got old at JSCA International Stadium Complex here. Earlier, India won two games and the third one was washed out due to rain.

With strong contributions from the lower order and the trio of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Mark Henry looking unsafe with the ball, a better showing from the frontline batsmen could put the Black Caps back in this series. That partnership was worth 78 runs.

The last time Dhoni came at No. 4 was in the previous ODI, and he had bludgeoned 80 in Mohali. Ross Taylor, who has struggled throughout the India tour, was in the middle with Anton Devcich. India not only gifted away the game to the visitors with their careless batting, the hosts also squandered the opportunity to jump higher in the ICC ODI rankings. His first victim was Rahane, trapped in front for 57 in the 28th over. After picking up the first wicket, Neesham had more bounce in his step, and with that added pace he snuck through Dhoni’s attempted push to mid-off.

The spot of bother gave way to full blown crisis when Southee picked two in two to leave India gasping.

Dhoni’s post-match press conference was along the same lines; he reiterated the difficulty of batting down the order on such a sluggish pitch.

Total: 260 (for 7 wickets). Cricket has evolved; the newer generation likes to play the big shots.

Amit Mishra finished with three wickets. India vs New Zealand Playing XI is announced. Guptill was his usual self – edgy but aggressive and Latham relying on pure timing.

Guptill, who was named the man of the match, though did not make the most of a dropped chance at 62 as he fell to Pandya 10 runs later.

It was a welcome return to form for a player that had managed just 39 runs in three ODI innings before this. Eighty runs had come off the first 10 overs bowled by Indian pacers.

Guptill also found form with 72 from 84 balls. Latham got out to left-arm spinner Axar Patel leaving Guptill to do the scoring. It was Hardik Pandya who made the breakthrough in his second spell, inducing an edge off Guptill. By the 35-over mark, New Zealand looked comfortable at 184 for two.

Mishra returned with best figures of 2/42 getting the important scalps of Williamson and Neesham. But, it turned out to be too much of an ask for him and the hosts were all out for 241 runs giving New Zealand a 19-run-victory.

The innings further cemented his claim on the opening spot sans Brendon McCullum with previous scores of 79 not out, 46 and 61 in the series.

The ball landed and Dhoni in one quick motion half-collected, half-deflected the ball onto the stumps without looking at the wickets.

The 35-year-old once again grabbed the spotlight with his lightning quick hands during the fourth one-day global against New Zealand.