The 4th ODI between New Zealand and India was played at Hamilton. The match was of academic interest as the Kiwis had already lost the series and were trailing 0-3. The match was streamed live by Star sports, and Hotstar and viewers in India had a ringside view.

The Indian skipper Virat Kohli was rested, and the BCCI said he would not play the last two matches. The captaincy was taken over by Rohit Sharna. Without Kohli, India is still a formidable outfit. They were expected to win easily. The Hindu business line reported that New Zealand pulled off a stunning eight-wicket win to halt the visiting side’s domination on Thursday.

India and moving ball

India batted first as New Zealand won the toss and from the opening over it was clear that the moving ball was going to create trouble. The start was catastrophic as Shikhar Dhawan was clean bowled and stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma caught. A long procession of batsman going back to the pavilion commenced and one stage the score read 40 for 6.

Hardik Pandiya who was in the news for the wrong reasons failed and it was left to the tailenders to help India reach 92.

It was a poor performance and brought out that the team is not invincible. India Today reported that the cause of India's debacle was Trent Boult's five-wicket haul and Colin de Grandhomme's disciplined bowling which wrecked India's batting.

Ego punctured

Indian ego was punctured when New Zealand hit off the required runs for the loss of only two wickets.

It was a comprehensive victory and showed Indian batting in poor light. India had just made history by beating Australia before this tour, but there is a big question mark against this team in conditions where the ball seams and swings. The moving ball is difficult to negotiate for this team.

2019 World Cup

The World Cup is just a few months away.

It will be played in England where the conditions are similar to what India faced at Hamilton. It is worth remembering that India under Kohli performed poorly during their last tour of England and lost the test matches 1-4.

It was an equally poor show in the ODI matches as England beat India. One of the big reasons was the failure of the Indian batsmen was the failure to negotiate the moving ball. The conditions in England are conducive to seam and swing, and the ball moved appreciably. Indian batsmen apart from Kohli just failed to read the swing.

Last word

The loss to New Zealand in the 4th ODI is thus causing alarm. The Indian batsmen showed poor application, and all top batsmen failed, leaving spinner Kuldip Yadav as top scorer.

India now goes to the 5th ODI, and Rohit Sharma and coach Ravi Shastri have their work cut out. Another defeat will dent the Indian team's morale.
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