New Zealand's batsmen threw away starts again to finish on 260/7 in 50 overs after choosing to bat first in the fourth One-Day International against India in Ranchi on Wednesday.
Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson finally won a toss and his openers Martin Guptill and Tom Latham got New Zealand off to a furious start, galloping to 80/0 in their first 10 overs. But once Mahendra Singh Dhoni turned to his spinners on a slow, low surface, the choke began and the Kiwis kept losing well-set batsmen at regular intervals.
Axar Patel struck the first blow, by getting Tom Latham to top-edge a catch to Ajinkya Rahane while Amit Mishra mixed up sliders, leg-spinners and googlies in an impressive spell of 2/41, accounting for the key wickets of Kane Williamson for 41 and James Neesham for 6. Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni's go-to-man lately, also kept things tight with figures of just 0/27 in his 8 overs.
Ironically, it was pacer Hardik Pandya who got the most important breakthrough of the innings, accounting for the dangerous Martin Guptill for 72 when New Zealand looked well-placed at 138/1 after 25.
Ross Taylor had battled to 58-ball 35 but was undone by a lightning, no-look throw from MS Dhoni as New Zealand imploded further at the death. They only managed to add 61 in the last 10 overs, to finish on 260/7 at the end.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 260/7 in 50 overs (Martin Guptill 72, Kane Williamson 41; Amit Mishra 2/41, Axar Patel 1/38) v India
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!