5.16pm Finally NZ bring in a measure of parity to this series. India thoroughly dominated the first three games, but today has been a no contest. The ball swung, bounced and seamed, and India were all at sea. Not one batsman looked like he could hang around. India depend on their top order heavily. Today that top order didn't have Kohli. Then Dhawan fell early and all of a sudden the pressure was on. Once Rohit fell, too, things were already uphill with the middle order exposed early. That rarely ever happens. But losing the two openers happens routinely in ODIs. What doesn't is collapsing to 92 all out after that happens.
Boult was outstanding, using his swing to trample the Indian batsmen. He was accurate to a T with his lines and lengths, fed the drive with his fuller lengths, and outdid the batsmen with late movement and inducing errors from the batsmen. De Grandhomme kept the pressure on from the other end by regularly chipping away as well, and India never got out of the rut. Sure, they do have a strong bowling attack, but this may be too little for even them to defend. India's bowling has not been really tested in terms of pressure so far this series, but they will today. Time to see how they fare in a bit.
"It was good fun,"says Boult. "It's hot and humind and there's a lot of breeze out here. It looks like a good wicket, but credit to the lads for putting the ball in good areas. It was nice to come onto a surface that offered something from the start. We wanted to improve in all three areas and fielding was definitely right up there. It was good to see that energy on the field. I hope I don't need to bat."
KK Ahmed b Neesham 5 (8m 5b 1x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
Dean Weaver: "I know Taylor has a good record for catches, but he does spill his fair share. I'm not sure having your hands on your knees right until the ball is bowled is ideal."
END OF OVER:30 | 7 Runs 1 Wkt | IND: 87/9 | RR: 2.90
- Yuzvendra Chahal17 (35b)
- Khaleel Ahmed1 (2b)
- Todd Astle2-0-9-1
- Colin de Grandhomme10-2-26-3
Kuldeep Yadav c de Grandhomme b Astle 15 (47m 33b 1x4 0x6) SR: 45.45
Thanks, Hemant. Boult's done. De Grandhomme's done.
END OF OVER:29 | 2 Runs | IND: 80/8 | RR: 2.75
- Yuzvendra Chahal12 (32b)
- Kuldeep Yadav15 (32b)
- Colin de Grandhomme10-2-26-3
- Todd Astle1-0-2-0
Time for Akshay to take over
Venkat: "Impressed with Kuldeep's batting. He should definitely bat ahead of Shami, Chahal and Bhumrah. He looks solid"