New Zealand secured a 244-run victory over India in the fourth ODI of their five-match series, keeping the competition alive as the hosts trimmed India's lead to 2-1. The win marked India's second-biggest defeat in terms of runs in ODI history.
The hosts reached a massive total of 333 in 50 overs, driven by a fluent century from Will Young, who scored 125 off 108 balls. Young and Tim Seifert, who hit 58 off 48 balls, established a brisk foundation for the top order. Although Gurnoor Brar, Axar Patel, and Auqib Nabi managed to slow the momentum in the middle overs, Young held the innings together. He found a partner in Finn Allen, who scored 41 off 30 balls, to rebuild the momentum. The innings was finished by late contributions from Mitchell Santner (24), Kristian Clarke (22), and Kyle Jamieson (19*).
India faced a formidable pace attack while chasing 334. Matt Henry delivered a sensational opening over, dismissing Rohit Sharma (0), Virat Kohli (0), and Shreyas Iyer (0) to leave the visitors at 0/3. Kyle Jamieson (1/12) further pressured the visitors by removing Ruturaj Gaikwad (5), bringing India down to 9/4 in the sixth over.
Ishan Kishan (27) and Axar Patel (21) managed a 44-run stand to stabilize the innings before Matthew Fisher (3/31) dismissed Patel to trigger another collapse. Henry returned to bowl India out for 89 in 26.4 overs, claiming career-best ODI figures of 6/27 in the process.
The series schedule is as follows:
First ODI: November 4, Auckland [India won by 5 wickets (DLS method)]
Second ODI: November 7, Wellington [India won by Four Runs (DLS Method)]
Fourth ODI: November 13, Mount Mounganui [New Zealand won by 244 runs]
Fifth ODI: November 15, Mount Mounganui
