There was not much to distinguish from the approach of the New Zealand batsmen from the previous three matches; Start aggressively, build the partnership, set the platform and end with a flourish. The only difference was that they were chasing a target and not setting one. Openers Jesse Ryder and Martin Guptill were fed by some loose deliveries from Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. By the seventh over, the Kiwis had crossed fifty runs. It appeared that the momentum had been set in New Zealand’s favour until Varun Aaron and Shami struck a wicket each.
Ryder was the first to go bowled by Aaron for 19. He was once again dismissed due to poor footwork and failing to cover the line of the ball. In the next over, Shami got one to angle in to Guptill who was caught plumb in front for 37. Guptill was the first to be dismissed leg-before in this series.
Just after the first powerplay, Dhoni switched to spin from both ends and immediately yielded results. Both Jadeja and Ashwin got enough turn and bounce to have new batsmen Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor in trouble. But the duo had the comfort of taking time to settle in thanks to the quick scoring from the openers. The duo managed to see off the spin twins and started to take calculated risks against the slower bowlers.
Dhoni used an untested Ambati Rayudu for bowling along with an over from debutant Stuart Binny. Rayudu was economical initially before Williamson took advantage of the bowler’s inexperience by charging down the wicket and picking a six. Taylor completed his 27th ODI fifty and Williamson too followed scoring his fourth consecutive half-century to consolidate their stand. The game was slipping away from the Indians when the Kiwis decided to give India another chance to have a got at them. Williamson tried to attempt a tight single by playing near the wicket off Jadeja’s bowling. A sharp Jadeja ran quickly, picked it up and three at the stumps accurately. Williamson’s dismissal for 60 gave India the
much needed breakthrough. The 130-run partnership in 26.1 overs had laid a good platform for the others to take it forward.
Despite being at a strong position, there were some nervousness on the face of Taylor and McCullum. But the well set Taylor guided New Zealand through the stage and set them on course for a victory. Taylor got to his century in 110 balls with a cut past point for a boundary. Taylor is known to target the leg side but this time around the bulk of scoring was through the off-side. Taylor scored as many as 72 runs runs through point and extra-cover in his century innings.
With McCullum unleashing his aggressive skills, there was not much hope left for the Indians. The explosive batsman even offered a skier which was messed up by the three fielders. McCullum finished off the match with a six remaining unbeaten on 49.
Earlier, the Indians had opted for a change in strategy by bringing in some changes and opting to bat first. Binny became the 200th player to debut for India in ODIs.
Earlier:
MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja’s power-packed fifties help India post 278/5 in 4th ODI
A lot was spoken about Dhoni’s stubbornness to change his strategies and it was expected to continue on the must-win encounter. But the Indian skipper managed to surprise everyone by dropping Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, the two players who have looked circumspect in the past few matches. It mean Stuart Binny (200th ODI player to debut) and Ambati Rayudu find their opportunity to make a mark. Dhoni even won the toss again and chose to bat. The start of the batting too received a facelift with the in-form Virat Kohli walking alongside Rohit Sharma. Apart from India’s selection, the visitors got another boost with Corey Anderson rested for all-rounder James Neesham.
While the changes looked fresh, the performance remained unchanged as the short ball curse continued for India. Kohli was the first to perish miscuing a pull shot to James Neesham at mid-wicket. Ajinkya Rahane who walked in at No 3 too squandered his chance going after a short one from Kyle Mills caught at deep fine-leg. India would have soon be three down when Ross Taylor floored a regulation slip catch offered by Rohit off Tim Southee in the eighth over.
The stage was perfect for India to go down the same road they did in the previous matches, but the fresh vigour of Rayudu along with Rohit making his innings count turned things around. The duo continued with a sense of cautiousness before Rayudu eased in with his elegant wristwork. He flicked with confidence earning a couple of boundaries. Meanwhile, Rohit too turned the pressure back on to the bowlers stepping out and smashing two sixes. The run-rate which was lagging behind since the start of the innings picked up its pace.
Rayudu who had replaced Dhawan, played fearlessly coming down the track even against the pacers. He played his trademark late cut shots and skipper Brendon McCullum even placed a gully to restrain the right-hander. But it was Rayudu’s over-confidence did him in when he went after a pull shot and miscued it to Luke Ronchi behind the wicket. While Rayudu departed for 37, Rohit completed his 21st ODI half-century.
The Hamilton pitch was on the slower side and the batsmen found it difficult to time their shots. Kohli and Rayudu’s dismissal were testimony to that. While the change of pace could have done the trick, the Kiwis allowed the partnership for the third wicket to build up. Rayudu and Rohit’s 79-run stand had brought India back in contention. Soon Dhoni and Rohit bludgeoned the Kiwis with big hits including one clobbered out of the park by the Indian skipper. Ahead of the batting powerplay India had the right pair to power them.
Yet India squandered the opportunity when Rohit was caught down the leg-side by Ronchi for 79 and Ravichandran Ashwin, promoted up the order started off with a silky cover-drive only to perish few balls later caught at thirdman for five. At 151 for five, the Kiwis fancied their chances to clean up India to a below par score.
But Jadeja, walking in with a renewed vigour after that sensational innings at Auckland and the ever-brutal Dhoni picked up from there. Staying till the end of the batting powerplay, they unleashed themselves soon after. Post the 40th over, the duo scored aggressively. Dhoni’s attacking style is known to everyone, but the smart late cuts and lofted strokes from Jadeja were a delight to watch.
Within quick time, the Kiwi bowlers found themselves under pressure. Towards the end, it was Dhoni who looked subdued in comparison to Jadeja’s power-hitting. Skipper McCullum too missed a trick by not keeping the overs of his strike bowler Tim Southee intact, instead an inexperienced Hamish Bennett had to bowl. And Bennett was smashed comfortably by the two well-set batsmen. Dhoni completed his half-century and Jadeja too completed his second fifty in as many matches.
It may not be a daunting total on this ground, but the way they finished the innings will keep their morale high. It’s time the bowlers deliver and this time Dhoni has an additional option of Binny as the fifth bowler.
Brief scores:
India 278 for 5 in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 79, Ambati Rayudu 37, MS Dhoni 79*, Ravindrwa Jadeja 62*; Tim Southee 2 for 36) vs New Zealand.
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