New Zealand crush India by 244 runs in fourth ODI

New Zealand delivered a commanding all-round performance to hammer India by 244 runs in the fourth ODI at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, reviving their hopes of drawing level in the five-match series after losing the first two matches, while the third was abandoned due to rain.

With their six-year unbeaten home ODI series record under threat, the Black Caps delivered an emphatic response, posting 333 before dismissing India for just 89.

How did New Zealand build a commanding total?

After India stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer elected to field, New Zealand's opening pair made full use of favourable batting conditions, racing to 72 without loss during the first 10 overs.

Tim Seifert provided the early impetus, attacking India's pace bowlers and reaching his maiden ODI half-century from just 39 deliveries. The opener eventually departed for 58 off 48 balls after Ishan Kishan completed an outstanding running catch behind him off Gurnoor Brar, who finished with two wickets.

Will Young then took responsibility for anchoring the innings after being dropped twice in consecutive deliveries on five. Having managed only 15 runs across the first two matches, the opener responded with a magnificent century.

Young brought up his half-century from 49 balls, striking six fours and two sixes. He subsequently accelerated, requiring only another 39 deliveries to reach three figures.

Finn Allen provided valuable support during a 90-run partnership, contributing 41 from 30 balls. Batting at No. 5, Allen justified the team's decision to experiment with his position, hitting five boundaries and two sixes before falling to a spectacular catch off Axar Patel.

Young continued his impressive innings, surpassing his previous highest ODI score with a sweep against Kuldeep Yadav before departing for a career-best 125.

Although New Zealand lost momentum towards the end, contributions from Mitchell Santner (24), Kristian Clarke (22) and Kyle Jamieson (19 not out) helped them reach 333 in their allotted overs.

How did Matt Henry dismantle India's batting lineup?

India's chase effectively collapsed in the opening over as Matt Henry produced a sensational spell that left the visitors reeling at 0-3.

The experienced seamer first removed Rohit Sharma, finding his outside edge for Tim Seifert to complete the catch at slip. He then bowled Virat Kohli for a four-ball duck before trapping Iyer lbw with the first delivery he faced.

Henry's remarkable opening over ended with three wickets and a maiden, immediately shifting the contest firmly in New Zealand's favour.

India struggled to recover as Kyle Jamieson dismissed Ruturaj Gaikwad for five, with Michael Bracewell taking the catch at second slip.

Axar Patel received an early reprieve when Nick Kelly dropped him off Jamieson, but the all-rounder failed to make it count, edging Matt Fisher to slip for 21.

Henry returned to remove Kishan, who had top-scored with 27, bowling the wicketkeeper-batter to leave India struggling at 61-6.

Fisher subsequently dismissed Auqib Nabi for five and Naman Dhir for 21, while Henry completed his five-wicket haul by bowling Kuldeep Yadav.

The pacer eventually finished with career-best figures of 6-27, while Fisher claimed three wickets for 31 runs as India were dismissed for 89.