Kiwis break Ranchi hearts: 1st loss for Dhoni at home

Kane Williamson and Co. now have forced the Indian side to play the fifth and final ODI in the series decider, thanks to a superb effort from their bowlers previous night.

 

It was India's first loss at Ranchi's JSCA International Cricket Stadium. Earlier, India won two games and the third one was washed out due to rain.

 

The teams will lock horns in the last match of the ODI series at Vizag on Saturday.

 

Chasing 261, a score that did not seem tricky at all for a line-up consisting of players like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane, they were bundled out with eight balls remaining.

 

Kiwis' ace pacer, Tim Southee led the attack with three wickets from nine overs, while the other wickets were shared between Trent Boult, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi.

 

 

The primary reason which was considered behind New Zealand's loss in the third ODI was Ross Taylor dropping Kohli's catch when the batsman was just on six runs, who eventually remained unbeaten on an incredible 154.

 

The visitors ensured they did not let the man in form get going again and it was the spinner, Sodhi, who got rid of him, just when Kohli looked to be in good touch again. The Indian vice-captain fell short of five runs for another half-century, and his 51-ball knock was inclusive of a six and two boundaries.

 

The major heartbreak for Ranchi happened when Dhoni's stumps were rattled, and the skipper was seen walking back with only 11 runs on the board.

 

It was New Zealand's first win in the toss in seven matches they have played on this tour and surprisingly Williamson opted to bat first because his batsmen have not been in their right form.

 

However, he was fortunate enough that his bowlers stepped up in the second innings and managed to defend a mediocre total of 260 to keep them alive in the series.

 

Martin Guptill, the eventual Player of the Match the scoring charts of the Kiwis innings with 84-ball 72. His innings was inclusive of 12 fours.

 

The likes of Tom Latham and Captain Williamson made crucial contributions with 39 and 41 runs respectively. Their under-fire senior batsman, Taylor chipped in with 35 odd runs but once again wasted too many balls, inviting more criticisms for himself.