New Zealand have already lost the five-match ODI rubber against India, but pacer Trent Boult’s (5/21 ) carnage with the ball guided New Zealand to get an eight wicket win against India in the fourth One Day International. Undoubtedly, this victory will prove to be a good morale booster for the Kiwis and might help New Zealand in the preparations for the ICC Cricket World Cup.
In one of the worst batting performances in 50-overs format in recent times, India was bundled out for just 92. It took just 14.4 overs for New Zealand to chase down the target. After the game concluded, the visitors faced their biggest ever loss in terms of balls to spare with 212 balls remaining.
Before this, India's defeat against Sri Lanka in 2010 in Dambulla was their worst defeat in terms of balls remaining, when the Lankan Lions chased the target with 209 balls to spare.
212 runs - Hamilton (vs NZ, 2019)
209 runs - Dambulla (vs SL, 2010)
181 runs - Hambantota (vs SL, 2012)
Boult's 5/21, his fifth five wicket haul, is the second best figures for New Zealand against India in the limited overs format. Previously it was pacer Shane Bond (6/19) in 2005 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Chasing 92 runs, New Zealand lost their first wicket in the fourth delivery of their innings. Martin Guptill (14) slammed two boundaries and one six in his four ball stay.
Despite having a long batting line-up, India failed drastically as only two batsmen -- Shikhar Dhawan (13) and Hardik Pandya (16) -- only managed to have a double-digit score.
Towards the end when India were reeling at 55/8, chinaman Kuldeep Yadav (15) and leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (18 not out) forged a small but crucial 25- runt partnership to help India reach 80 runs. Chahal was also the highest scorer for India.
(With IANS inputs)