India suffered a 244-run defeat against New Zealand in the fourth ODI of their five-match series at Mount Maunganui on November 13, 2026. The visitors were bowled out for 89 runs while attempting to chase a target of 334. This result marks India's second-heaviest ODI defeat in history, narrowing the series lead to 2-1 in favour of India.
Stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer addressed the post-match presentation, explaining that the pitch conditions appeared to change significantly between the two innings. While New Zealand managed a total of 333, Iyer noted that his side initially believed the surface was suitable for batting. However, during the chase, the movement of the ball made it difficult for the batters to establish themselves.
New Zealand bowler Matt Henry led the attack, finishing with career-best figures of 6/27. Iyer credited Henry for bowling effectively in the right areas from the start of the innings. The Indian captain also acknowledged that the team struggled to contain New Zealand’s aggressive approach in the first innings, noting that missed opportunities in the field, including dropped catches, contributed to the final outcome.
New Zealand's total was anchored by Will Young, who scored 125 runs from 108 deliveries. He was supported by Tim Seifert, who contributed 58 off 48 balls, and Finn Allen, who added 41 off 30 deliveries. Despite the heavy loss, Iyer emphasized the need to move on from the performance while analysing technical errors in batting and bowling ahead of the final ODI.
Key facts
- India was bowled out for 89 runs in the fourth ODI.
- New Zealand’s Matt Henry finished with match figures of 6/27.
- Will Young scored 125 runs for New Zealand off 108 balls.
- The defeat at Mount Maunganui was India’s second-heaviest in ODI history.
- The series now stands at 2-1, with the final match remaining.
Why it matters
The loss forces a decisive final match in the five-game series. Captain Shreyas Iyer indicated that the team must approach the next game with a fresh mindset, drawing inspiration from their previous two victories in the series to secure a win.
Source: Hindustan Times
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