Indian captain Shreyas Iyer admitted there was a huge difference between the wickets across two innings after they suffered an ignominious loss of 244 runs in the fourth ODI against New Zealand at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on Friday.
This is India’s second-biggest loss in ODIs in terms of runs. New Zealand posted a par score of 333 runs on the board after they were put in to bat by Shreyas Iyer. Will Young top-scored with 125 runs off 108 balls after he received two early lives in the innings. However, Young made the most of his chances and scored his fifth ODI century.
On the other hand, India was rocked early as Matt Henry sent back Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer for ducks in the very first over. India was never able to recover from the early blows and was bowled out for a paltry score of 89 runs as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Matt Henry was the chief destroyer of the Indian innings, as he returned with career-best figures of 6-27.
Shreyas Iyer said in the post-match presentation, “There was a huge difference between the wickets between innings. Credit to Henry and how he bowled. We tried almost everything in the first innings. We thought the wicket was a belter.”
He added, “A couple of drops but that happens. In the break, we thought we would cruise through the chase. But the wicket seamed and no one threw their wickets. Gotta forget this one after analysing what went right and wrong and come in with a fresh mind.”
The fifth and final ODI between New Zealand and India will be played at the same venue on Sunday.
