India’s chase of 334 against New Zealand in the fourth ODI at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui began with a historic collapse on Friday. The team was reduced to 0/3 in the opening over as top-order batters Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and captain Shreyas Iyer all departed without scoring.
New Zealand pacer Matt Henry, who opened the bowling, claimed a triple-wicket maiden. He dismissed Rohit Sharma on the first ball of the innings, with the batter clipping an outside edge to Finn Allen at first slip. Kohli was the next to fall, bowled on the fifth ball by a delivery that kept low and moved into him. On the final delivery of the over, stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer was trapped leg-before-wicket. While the umpire initially turned down the appeal, New Zealand successfully reviewed the decision, confirming the ball was hitting the middle stump.
According to The Times of India, this event marked the first time India has suffered a 0/3 start in an ODI innings. Both outlets reported that this is only the third instance in ODI history where a team has lost three wickets for no runs in the opening over. Previous occurrences included Pakistan against South Africa in Lahore in 1997 and Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in the 2003 World Cup.
The match marked the second time Rohit and Kohli have both scored ducks in the same ODI; they previously achieved the feat against Sri Lanka in Dambulla in 2010. The Indian Express noted that for Rohit, it was the first time in 205 innings as an opener that he was dismissed for a golden duck. Following the top-order collapse, Ruturaj Gaikwad was subsequently caught off Kyle Jamieson.
Key facts
- India lost their first three wickets for zero runs in the opening over at Mount Maunganui.
- New Zealand pacer Matt Henry took three wickets in the first over, including a triple-wicket maiden.
- Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a golden duck on the first delivery of the innings.
- Virat Kohli was bowled for a four-ball duck.
- Shreyas Iyer was dismissed LBW on his first ball while making his debut as ODI captain.
- The match is the second time Rohit and Kohli have both recorded ducks in the same ODI innings.
Background
India entered the fourth ODI of the series chasing a target of 334 set by New Zealand. The collapse left the team struggling immediately after the start of their innings, following the host nation's strong performance with the bat.
Source: Times of India, Indian Express
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