Indian middle-order collapsed today at Ranchi, even as New Zealand produced a clinical effort to beat the home side by 19 runs at their skipper's home-ground Ranchi. The series will be decided at Visakhapatnam on Saturday.


COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

Brief Scores:


New Zealand: 260/7 in 50 overs (Martin Guptil 72, Kane Williamson 41, Amit Mishra 2/41).
India: 241 all out in 48.4 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 57, Virat Kohli 45; Tim Southee 3/40).


INDIA INNINGS; NEW ZEALAND 260


Over 48.4 || Score 241 All Out (Dhawal Kulkarni 25)


Trent Boult took the last wicket of Umesh Yadav to give New Zealand a series leveling 19-run win at MS Dhoni's home-ground Ranchi.


Over 48 || Score 238/9 (Dhawal Kulkarni 23; Umesh Yadav 6)


The last-wicket stand has added 31 runs in 5.3 overs, but it will too much to ask for a win for India. Still a great fight.


India need another 23 runs from 12 balls.


Over 45 || Score 219/9 (Dhawal Kulkarni 11; Umesh Yadav 1)


After a brief Axar Patel resistance, India seemed to have conceded the match. But Dhawal Kulkarni is giving a late entertainment for the packed house.


India need another 42 runs from 30 balls, but one wicket remaining.


Over 40 || Score 189/7 (Axar Patel 28; Amit Mishra 9)


India added another 28 runs, losing the wicket of Hardik Pandya, in the last five overs. Asking rate is already over seven. Axar Patel, though, is taking on the inspired Kiwi attack.


WICKET: Hardik Pandya c Tom Latham b Mitchell Santner 9 (13b)


For a change, the 40th over resulted in 10 runs with Axar Patel and Amit Mishra hitting a four each off the bowling of Tim Southee.


Over 34 || Score 159/6 (Axar Patel 13; Hardik Pandya 3)


DRINKS


India lost couple more wickets with Tim Southee removing both Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav of successive deliveries in the 33rd over.


WICKET: Manish Pandey c Tom Latham b Tim Southee 12 (12b)


Pandey picked the half-volley and smacked, and it's four written all over it. But Tom Latham at mid-on jumped and plucked it out.


WICKET: Kedar Jadhav lbw b Tim Southee 0 (1b)


Jadhav got no defence against that vicious slower delivery. Caught in front.


India need another 102 runs from 16 overs.


Over 30 || Score 140/4 (Axar Patel 8; Manish Pandey 1)


India lost another wicket, in the form of Ajinkya Rahane. Trapped in front by James Neesham. Rahane shuffled and lost the line. Easy for the umpire.


WICKET: Ajinkya Rahane lbw b James Neesham 57 (70b)


That happened off the second ball of 28th over. And coming to join MS Dhoni in the centre is Axar Patel. Batting promotion, sure it is.


Then the unthinkable happened. Raipur's left stunned.


WICKET: MS Dhoni b James Neesham 11 (31b)


Neeshame produced a beautiful delivery to uproot Dhoni's left stump. Ball moving, coming back enough the breach Dhoni's straight bat and pad. That happened off the second ball of the 30th over.


Thus arrived Manish Pandey in the centre. But Axar looked more than competent, and confident to play shots. He hit the last ball of the over for a four, a fine glance.


In the last five overs, India scored 18 runs only, and losing both Rahane and Dhoni.


Over 25 || Score 122/2 (Ajinkya Rahane 52; MS Dhoni 7)


Not the best phase of period for India, but Ajinkya Rahane and MS Dhoni kept the run coming. In the last five over, India have score 24 runs.


In the process, Rahane also reached his fifty with a four off the fifth ball of 25th over. He took 61 balls.


Earlier, Dhoni survived a huge caught behind appeal with wicket-keeper and Ish Sodhi particularly confident. But Bruce Oxenford was unmoved, and a great decision from the umpire. That happened in the 21.4 over.


India now need another 139 runs from 25 overs.


Over 20 || Score 98/2 (Ajinkya Rahane 38; MS Dhoni 0)


Post Drinks, Kiwis got the wicket they have wanted. Virat Kohli walked. Caught behind, off the bowling of Ish Sodhi.


WICKET: Virat Kohli c BJ Watling b Ish Sodhi 45 (51b)


That happened off the penultimate ball of the 20th over. And that brought local hero MS Dhoni in the centre. Huge roar.


Over 18 || Score 91/1 (Ajinkya Rahane 36; Virat Kohli 44)


DRINKS!


India added another 15 runs in the last three runs, before going to Drinks. Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli stand is now worth 72 in 13.5 overs. Kohli has taken the initiative from his batting partner, and is playing lot more freely.


And India need another 170 runs from 32 overs.


Over 15 || Score 76/1 (Ajinkya Rahane 31; Virat Kohli 30)


Spin introduced in the 11th over, in the form of Mitchell Santner, and India increased the scoring rate. India scored 26 runs in the last five overs, with Virat Kohli suddenly going hyperactive.


Ajinkya Rahane and Kohli have put 57 runs for second wicket and India now need another 185 runs from 35 overs.


Over 10 || Score 50/1 (Ajinkya Rahane 25; Virat Kohli 11)


Despite the fall of Mr. Talent Rohit Sharma, India continued to build the innings in chase of New Zealand's 260. And leading the charge is Ajinkya Rahane even as a controlled Virat Kohli continued to play the second fiddle.


In the last five overs, India have scored 28 runs. And now need another 211 runs from 40 runs.


For the Kiwis, Tim Southee has been brilliant. Five overs, 20 runs and a wicket.


Over 6 || Score 33/1 (Ajinkya Rahane 16; Virat Kohli 4)


Just about the perfect over to counter the loss of a wicket in the previous over. After Virat Kohli played out the first two balls for a single, Ajinkya Rahane returned to strike after long time, and he soon took to Trent Boult.


A four off the the third ball, a classic one drive, the a dot ball later, hit a six, first of the match, to make it a 11-run over.


Over 5 || Score 21/1 (Ajinkya Rahane 6; Virat Kohli 2)


One again, Rohit Sharma failed. Perfect outswinger, and the Indian opener failed to contain his instincts, not to fish outside the line. Caught behind.


WICKET: Rohit Sharma c BJ Watling b Tim Southee 11 (19b)


That happened of the first ball of a new bowler, and Tim Southee was over the moon.


Three runs and a wicket from the over.


Over 3 || Score 10/0 (Rohit Sharma 2; Ajinkya Rahane 6)


Another tidy over from the Kiwis with Tim Southee returning with much better line and length. Two singles and a two bye for runs.


Over 2 || Score 6/0 (Rohit Sharma 1; Ajinkya Rahane 5)


Trent Boult shared the new ball with Tim Southee, and the left-arm pacer produced a maiden over, and even caught Rohit Sharma edgy.


India need another 255 runs from 48 overs.


Over 1 || Score 6/0 (Rohit Sharma 1; Ajinkya Rahane 5)


Cautious start from the Indian openers, with both Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma keeping a close look at the ball. Rahane started with a single, then a couple of dot balls later, Rohit took a single, giving the strike back to Rahane.


Rahane, then, hit the last ball of the over for a four, through cover and point. Supreme timing.


Tim Southee thus conceded six runs in his first over.


Meanwhile, WATCH this brilliant run-out effort from MS Dhoni. 


NEW ZEALAND INNINGS


OVER 50 | SCORE 260/7 (Santner 17*, Southee 9*)


Despite Latham and Gutil's partnership of  96 runs, Kiwis were left wandering for boundaries, with Indian bowlers picking up wickets at regular intervals. It looked like a 300+ run total for the Kiwis initially but since Williamson's departure, they just couldn't build a partnership.


OVER 48 | SCORE 242/7 (Santner 10*)


Devcich departs while trying to go for a big one. Difficult for New Zealand to cross the 260-run mark from here with what looked like a 300-plus score earlier.


AP Devcich c Pandya b Yadav 11 (11b)


OVER 46 | SCORE 227/6 (Devcich 5*, Santner 1*)


Classic work from MS Dhoni to remove Ross Taylor.New Zealand continue to lose wickets as India tighten grip in death overs.


LRPL Taylor run out 34 (58b)


OVER 45 | SCORE 220/5 (Taylor 32*, Devcich 1*)


Dhawal Kulkarni gets his first wicket of the match. Watling goes for the big one but finds the safe hands of Rohit Sharma. India have made a strong return in the match.


BJ Watling c Sharma b Kulkarni 14 (21b)


OVER 42 | SCORE 205/4 (Taylor 27*, Watling 5*)


Powerplay three in place as Taylor-Watling strive to make the last 10 overs count and reach a total around 280. Will the Kiwis reach the 280-run target?


OVER 38 | SCORE 192/4 (Taylor 20*)


Amit Mishra strikes again as Jimmy Neesham gets caught by Virat Kohli. New Zealand seems to be struggling suddenly as wickets begin to fall at a rapid rate.


JDS Neesham c Kohli b Mishra 6 (9b)


OVER 35.1 | SCORE 184/3 (Taylor 18*)


Williamson, Taylor were continuing unhurt from Guptil's loss before Amit Mishra struck removing the Kiwi skipper. Dhoni with another fine catch behind the wicket. Responsibility on the shoulders of vice-captain Taylor now.


KS Williamson c †Dhoni b Mishra 41 (59b)


OVER 30 | SCORE 161/2 (Williamson 26*, Taylor 10*)


Just what India needed, Martin Guptil departs after a brilliant 72-run knock. Vice captain Ross Taylor joins captain Kane Williamson in the middle.


MJ Guptill c Dhoni b Pandya 72 (84b)


OVER 25 | SCORE 138/1 (Guptil 72*, Williamson 16*)


As the game reaches mid way, New Zealand keep an upper hand. India need a breakthrough soon else it will be difficult to prevent the Kiwis from reaching 300.


OVER 20 | SCORE 116/1 (Guptil 58*, Williamson 10*)


Martin Guptil brings up a fifty, his first of the ODI series. Williamson seems to have settled in with Guptil after surviving a stumping appeal.


OVER 16 | SCORE 97/1 (Guptil 49*, Williamson 0*)


Tom Latham goes for a sweep and gets caught by Ajinkya Rahane. Axar Patel rewards MS Dhoni with first wicket of the day.


TWM Latham c & b Patel 39 (40b)


OVER 15 | SCORE 94/0 (Guptil 48*, Latham 37*)


MS Dhoni introduces spin to curb run-rate and Mishra-Patel produce a decent enough job in the 2nd power play.


OVER 10 | SCORE 80/0 (Guptil 39*, Latham 30*)


New Zealand progressing with a run-rate of 8 runs per over as MS Dhoni looks a little tensed with the way Kiwis are whacking Indian bowlers.


OVER 7 | SCORE 49/0 (Guptil 30*, Latham 16*)


Guptil dropped by Amit Mishra at mid-on but produced a brilliant diving effort to catch the ball. Kiwis continue to make the use of power play.


OVER 5 | SCORE 40/0 (Guptil 27*, Latham 12*)


Guptil-Latham take New Zealand off a shinning start against India with the play including some terrific boundaries as Indian seamers hardly succeed in testing the batsmen this early in the match.


OVER 3 | SCORE 24/0 (Guptil 21*, Latham 3*)


Another productive over for the Kiwis, but Guptil almost got caught at mid-on after he tried to go for a biggie.


OVER 2 | SCORE 16/0 (Guptil 13*, Latham 3*)


Not the best of start for Dhawal Kulkarni who is smashed for 16 runs in his first over. Both New Zealand batsmen have thought of going after the inexperienced bowler since the beginning.


OVER 1 | SCORE 0/0 (Guptil 0*, Latham 0*)


Maiden over for India. Umesh Yadav completes 1st over without conceding a single run.


# The match is underway with Umesh Yadav beginning the proceedings with the ball for India.


# What a reception for MS Dhoni. The crowd is going crazy.


IND XI: RG Sharma, A Rahane, V Kohli, M Pandey, MS Dhoni, K Jadhav, H Pandya, A Patel, A Mishra, D Kulkarni, U Yadav


NZ XI: M Guptill, T Latham, K Williamson, R Taylor, C Anderson, BJ Watling, A Devcich, M Santner, T Boult, T Southee, I Sodhi


India Squad: Dhawal Kulkarni comes in for Jasprit Bumrah.


TOSS: Heads the call from Kane Williamson and New Zealand wins the toss. Bat first is the call from Kiwi skipper.


After a hugely impressive triumph over New Zealand in the 3rd ODI at Mohali, Indian team visits the Ranchi stadium, the home of skipper MS Dhoni.


Virat Kohli was India's star performer in Mohali, where Dhoni also contributed crucial 80 runs, batting at No. 4 spot.


The match in Ranchi will be ultra-special for the stadium crowd as the limited-overs captain and the city's favourite son might well be seen in his last appearance at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association Stadium Complex – which has hosted three ODIs and one T20I - India winning all of them barring a rain-washed one-day.


Though both Kohli and Dhoni are extremely established and reliable names in the middle order, a question still arises on the Indian squad, which was retained for the 4th and 5th ODIs, to efficiently finish the innings. Hardik Pandya, who has shown has the potential for becoming a capable finisher, is still in his early days and should not be burdened with too much pressure already.


The biggest concern for the Indian captain is the opening pairning – Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane - which has left India wandering for a solid start in the begining.


Dhoni will be hoping to see his openers in more sync and not make the squad dig deep in finding answers to the challenges posed by New Zealand bowlers.


Toss will carry extra importance in this match as well, as we have seen whosoever wins the toss goes on to win the match.


India Squad


MS Dhoni (c) (wk), JJ Bumrah, KM Jadhav, V Kohli, DS Kulkarni, Mandeep Singh, A Mishra, MK Pandey, HH Pandya, AR Patel, AM Rahane, RG Sharma, J Yadav, UT Yadav


New Zealand Squad


KS Williamso (c), CJ Anderson, TA Boult, DAJ Bracewell, AP Devcich, MJ Guptill, MJ Henry, TWM Latham, JDS Neesham, L Ronchi (wk), MJ Santner, IS Sodhi, TG Southee, LRPL Taylor, BJ Watling (wk)


New Delhi: Welcome to our Live coverage of the 4th ODI between India and New Zealand from the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi.