India Clinches the ODI Series Winning the 4th ODI over New Zealand

(This entry was originally published on Wednesday, March 11th, 2009)

Winning the fourth ODI by 84 runs (D/L method) at Hamilton, India has clinched the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand. Like the first three ODI matches, India continued their domination over the home side in the fourth match too. After missing the third ODI as he was on paternity leave, New Zealand Captain Daniel Vettori returned in action with this match, but still New Zealand failed to avoid the series defeat. Batting first, New Zealand scored 270 runs losing 5 wickets in 47 overs. Due to bad weather and rain, the match was reduced to 47 overs. Indian openers were merciless from the very beginning and dominated over the New Zealand bowlers as they reached 201 runs without losing any wicket within 23.3 overs when rain intervened for the second time during Indian innings and match officials declared India the winner according to D/L method.

Vettori won the toss and decided to bat first on a pitch that offers the bowlers some help early on the day. New Zealand put on a competitive total of 270 runs on the board thanks to excellent batting performance by the opening pair Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum, who shared 102 runs in 19.1 overs. Ryder fell just 4 runs short of his half century, while McCullum went on to score 77 off 95 balls. New Zealand However, the fiery batting display from Peter McGlashan, who played a 42-ball 56, and Grant Elliott, who chipped in 35 off 27 balls, guided the home side towards a fighting total.

Among the Indian bowlers, Ishant Sharma, who returned to action after recovering his injury, took 2 wickets, though he was very expensive. Zaheer Khan, Yusuf Pathan and Yuvraj Singh picked up a wicket each. India’s opening pair Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, who retained the opening spot in the absence of regular opener Sachin Tendulkar, gave no chance to the New Zealand bowlers. Sehwag completed his century off only 60 balls, hitting a six over the mid off region off Vettori. Sehwag remained not out on 125 off 74 with 14 boundaries and 6 over boundaries, while Gambhir was not out on 63 from 67 balls, hitting 6 boundaries.

For his fiery show, Sehwag was awarded the man of the match award. With this victory, India has taken a 3-0 lead which is unattainable for New Zealand with a match left in hand.