India has been dealt one of their heaviest defeats in One Day cricket by New Zealand in the fourth ODI in Hamilton. The visitors were bundled out for shocking 92 well inside their 50 overs.
The Kiwis needed less than 15 overs to chase down the target for a comprehensive eight wicket win
Having already clinched the five match series 3-0 in the previous match in Tauranga on Monday, the Indians were guilty of taking their foot off the pedal in this clash.
With Virat Kholi rested and Mahendra-Singh Dhoni out with a hamstring strain, the tourists were led by stand-in captain Rohit Sharma in his 200th ODI.
However, it was far from a celebration for Sharma, India was unceremoniously bundled out for their lowest total in nine years, the seventh lowest total overall.
Left-arm seamer Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme were the destroyers in chief after the visitors were put in to bat. There was more swing on offer than usual at Seddon Park and Boult, the man of the match, didn’t need to be asked twice. He finished with figures of five for 21 from 10 overs, the second-best ever figures for a New Zealander against India.
De Grandhomme also capitalised on the conditions taking a career best three for 26 as the Indians were skittled for an embarrassing 92 with almost 20 overs remaining in their innings.
The Black Caps coasted to the target in just under 15 overs, with Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls guiding their side to an emphatic eight wicket victory.
Despite being ranked number two in the ODI rankings, this was one of India’s heaviest defeats in the one day game since no other opponent has ever defeated them with so many deliveries remaining in their innings. The fifth and final match is a day/night game in Wellington on Sunday.
