A batting collapse once again caused the downfall for the Indian team as the hosts lost the fourth ODI against New Zealand by 19 runs.
Earlier, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat first. His team went off to a flying start as Tom Latham and Martin Guptill added 96 runs for the first wicket. With 199 for 4 after the end of 40th overs, the Kiwis would have fancied their chances of scoring something around 300. However,just like the previous matches, losing wickets at regular intervals after getting a strong start made it tough for the visitors to score freely. The disciplined bowling from the Indian spinners made the task of scoring quickly even tougher for the Kiwis. The visitors finally ended their innings on 260 for 7.
In reply, India started poorly as Rohit Sharma once again failed with the bat and could score only 11. But then a 79-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane steadied the ship. And just when the hosts were taking a strengthing their position in the team,Ish Sodhi dismissed Kohli to bring New Zealand in the contest. But the real damage was done after Rahane’s dismissal as it opened the floodgates. From 128 for 2, the Indian team was reduced to 167 for 7. MS Dhoni’s men were finally dismissed for 241.
The five-match series is now locked at 2-2.
Meanwhile, Indian skipper MS Dhoni, who scored 80 runs in the previous match, was brutally trolled after another failure with the willow. He scored 11 runs off 31 balls and faced the wrath of the fans for the slow innings.
https://twitter.com/cricketworms/status/791301733305638912
Note: This is a parody account of Gautam Gambhir.
11 from 31 is the real match winning innings from Dhoni for NZ #indvsnz
— Señor K (@kirr_dev) October 26, 2016
Two things common to India's 2 losses to New Zealand: Kohli not batting through & Dhoni's slower than usual batting strike rate.
— Ashok Lalla (@ashoklalla) October 26, 2016
Dhoni—-Batman, the other day and strangely Joker, today 🙁 🙁
— Ashok G (@AshokPVG) October 26, 2016
Poor performance of Indian Cricket team. Dhoni leading from front, 11 run from 31 ball…poor fielding , bowling ….opening ..
— धर्मपाल महाजन (Dharam Pal Mahajan) (@mahajan_63) October 26, 2016
Mahi match harwa rahe hai
— Nishith (@Nicks103) October 26, 2016
More bad scenes for MS Dhoni sequel.#indvsNZ
— kabir (@Kabirology) October 26, 2016
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:
https://twitter.com/ajjuns/status/791286301513297922?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Unfair expectations from Rohit Sharma. The team just cannot depend on Rohit Sharma all the time. Others should also get a chance to fail.
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) October 26, 2016
Kedar Jadhav doesn't get a wicket, doesn't get a run. Trouble started with that Mishra drop. #INDvNZ
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) October 26, 2016
Dhoni in his best Ross Taylor avatar so far #INDvNZ
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) October 26, 2016
Sometimes Virat Kohli proves that he is human being by not completing the chase….
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) October 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/791258615248060417
Rohit Sharma Is So Selfless Cricketer, He Sacrifices His Wicket Everytime So That Virat Kohli Can Hit A Century. 😉#IndvsNZ #IndvNZ
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) October 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/ajjuns/status/384317261088960512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Similar pattern following @BLACKCAPS batting this ODI series, starting with huge promise but fading to disappoint. #INDvNZ
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) October 26, 2016
So Ross Taylor has been stunned twice in two days by Dhoni #indvsnz pic.twitter.com/Zh9YTh02nT
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) October 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/791236905895473153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Amit Mishra taking Jadhav's wickets, so whose will Jadhav take?
Easy, Kiwis have 10 wickets to give#indvsnz
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) October 26, 2016
Dismissed Kiwi batsmen thrilled at not being dismissed by Kedar Jadhav#indvsNZ
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) October 26, 2016
Williamson must have a lot of faith in his bowlers to ask India to chase. But that can only have meaning if his batsmen come good
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 26, 2016
India Won The Toss And Asked Matin Guptill To Do Bhumi Pujan First. 😉#INDvsNZ #INDvNZ
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) October 26, 2016
Kane finally wins the toss and elects to unleash Guptill first#INDvNZ
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 26, 2016