After losing the first three ODIs of the 5-match series, New Zealand made an outstanding comeback in Hamilton against India on Thursday. In the absence of Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, India's much-vaunted batting was dismissed for its seventh-lowest ODI total —92 in 30.5 overs as Trent Boult (5/21) and Colin de Grandhomme (3/26) exploited the swinging conditions to perfection.
In return, the hosts chased down the target quite easily, winning the match with 8 wickets and 212 balls remaining.
While Rohit Sharma termed this batting collapse ‘one of India’s worst performances’, speedster Bhuvneshwar Kumar stated that the unit missed their regular skipper Virat Kohli.
“See you always miss him (Kohli) in such kind of wickets but at the same time, it was an opportunity for Shubman Gill who came in his place. What he (Kohli) has done is amazing but we always don't want to depend on him,” he said.
Bhuvneshwar asserted that defeat was ‘reality check’ for the team ahead of the remainder of the series.
“If you look at the cricket we have been playing in the last few months, we have played good cricket and such matches come after some time. So it is a kind of reality check what we can do and improve in the next matches," Bhuvneshwar said.
“We were confident after winning the series but things didn't go our way. I don't want to take credit away from these guys (New Zealand bowlers). They bowled really well and outplayed us."
Asked if New Zealand exposed India's weakness on Thursday, Bhuvneshwar said, “Not really, we have played in England, South Africa and Australia, and we have done really well. I would say they bowled really well, bowled some amazing and unplayable balls and yes overall, they outplayed us.”
After the fifth and final ODI at Wellington on Sunday, India will play three T20 Internationals against New Zealand starting February 6.