New Delhi . In the ODI match played against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui, the Indian cricket team had to face such a defeat, which exposed the weaknesses of its batting. The Indian team, which came to chase the target of 334 runs, had a very bad start. Fast bowler Matt Henry sent Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer to the pavilion without opening the account in the very first over. This happened for the first time in the history of Indian ODI cricket, when the team lost three wickets even before opening its account.
In this match, the Indian team lost by 244 runs. New Zealand bowler Matt Henry took six wickets for only 27 runs in 9.4 overs. He also bowled two maiden overs in his spell. Indian batsmen could not stand against his precise line, length and seam movement of the ball. The dismissal of experienced batsmen like Rohit, Kohli and Shreyas in the same over became a big challenge for the team.
This was the fifth incident in ODI cricket of a team falling in its first three wickets before opening the account. Before this, teams like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia have also become a part of this unwanted record. However, this happened for the first time with the Indian team. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were out for zero for the second time in the same ODI match. Earlier in the year 2010, both the batsmen could not open the account against Sri Lanka in Dambulla.
Matt Henry's bowling was the most important aspect of this match. He bowled continuously around the off stump. His balls sometimes came out and sometimes came inwards. Indian batsmen had trouble understanding the direction and movement of the ball. Many batsmen could not show proper footwork and lost their wickets due to playing wrong shots.
This performance has raised questions about Indian batting technique and preparation in foreign conditions. On home grounds, flat pitches and short boundaries give batsmen more opportunities to score runs, but technical strength and patience are required in seam and swinging conditions. In the match against New Zealand, Indian batsmen could not respond effectively to these challenges.
Apart from Virat Kohli's 74 runs, no other batsman could score a half-century in the three completed Indian innings of the series. Due to this, discussion has also started on the continuity in the team's batting and the role of the middle order. Rohit is expected to get a fast start, Kohli to handle the innings and Shreyas to strengthen the middle order, but the simultaneous failure of all three increased the team's problems.
On the other hand, New Zealand batsman Will Young played a brilliant inning of 125 runs in 108 balls. He got two lives from the Indian team, which he took full advantage of. Indian bowlers conceded only 75 runs in the last 12 overs, but New Zealand managed to reach 333 runs.
The return of Matt Henry was also an important aspect of this match. He was out of some part of the series due to injury and concussion like symptoms. After his return, he put the Indian batting under complete pressure. His performance has increased the concern of the Indian team even before the upcoming Test matches.
The last ODI of the series between India and New Zealand is to be played on November 15 at Mount Maunganui. The Indian team is currently leading 2-1 in the series. New Zealand has an opportunity to level the series 2-2 by winning the final match. In such a situation, the Indian team will have the challenge of improving their batting and recovering from the mistakes of the previous match.