Matt Henry Takes Six Wickets as New Zealand Thrash India by 244 Runs in Third ODI
Matt Henry delivered a career-best bowling performance of 6 for 27 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, leading New Zealand to a 244-run victory over India. Henry reduced India to 0 for 3 in the opening over of their run chase, laying the groundwork for India's second-biggest defeat by runs in One Day International history.
Chasing a target of 334, India were bowled out for 89. Henry, who had missed earlier matches due to injury and concussion protocol, stayed back at Mount Maunganui to test his fitness before the upcoming Test series. He opened the bowling by dismissing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and captain Shreyas Iyer in his initial over.
Top-Order Collapse Leaves India Stranded
Henry's first delivery edged off Rohit Sharma to first slip. On his fifth delivery, Henry bowled Virat Kohli, who had his stumps rattled after the ball nipped back in low. On the final ball of the over, Shreyas Iyer was trapped on the crease and dismissed leg-before-wicket following a DRS review, becoming the first Indian captain to be dismissed for a golden duck on his captaincy debut.
India did not score their first run until the 17th delivery of the innings. Fellow seamer Kyle Jamieson contributed to the top-order collapse by getting Ruturaj Gaikwad caught at second slip for 5, leaving India at 9 for 4.
Ishan Kishan top-scored for India with 27 off 53 balls, building a 44-run partnership with Axar Patel, who scored 21 off 36 balls. Naman Dhir added 21 off 24 balls, including two sixes, before Matt Fisher took 3 for 31. Henry subsequently returned to clean up the tail and finish with 6 for 27.
Will Young's Century Sets Up New Zealand Total
Earlier in the match, New Zealand were bowled out for 333 in 49.5 overs. Will Young top-scored with a career-best 125 off 108 balls after being dropped twice on 5 in the second over off Auqib Nabi's bowling. Young shared an 85-run opening stand with Tim Seifert, who scored 58 off 48 balls.
Young also added 90 runs for the fourth wicket with Finn Allen, who contributed 41 off 30 balls. Kuldeep Yadav finished with figures of 0 for 73 from his eight overs. Rohit Sharma later took a diving catch at short cover to dismiss Allen.
India pulled back New Zealand's momentum late in the innings, taking 6 for 77 across the final 13.1 overs. Naman Dhir dismissed Young and took a catch to remove Michael Bracewell off Gurnoor Brar's bowling, while Axar Patel claimed 2 for 39 and Arshdeep Singh dismissed Mitchell Santner.
Series Context and Squad Changes
India left fast bowler Mohammed Siraj out of the playing XI for the fixture under head coach Gautam Gambhir. Despite the defeat, India lead the series 2-1 heading into Sunday's final match.
New Zealand will play the final match without Henry and Jamieson, as both seamers leave the ODI squad to join the Test team.
