India vs New Zealand 2019: 4th ODI, Hamilton - Four Talking Points

New Zealand paceman Trent Boult bowled ten overs on a trot taking five for 21 in a spectacular display of swing bowling to skittle Indian National Cricket team for 92 runs before chasing down the target with ease.

Meanwhile, India were all out within 92 runs after Kane Williamson opted to bowl first on a windy Hamilton ground. Trent Boult bowled ten overs on a trot to return with figures of five for 21 including four maiden overs to skittle the visitors. In addition to, Colin de Grandhomme picked three to bowl India out which saw Yuzvendra Chahal topping the score chart with 18 runs.

Here are the four talking points from the fourth ODI between Indian National Cricket team and New Zealand at Hamilton:

• Trent Boult’s fiery spell

The fiery left-arm pacer was in full swing today single-handedly rattling the Indian batting order. He started the proceeding dismissing Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma to have India 23 for two within eight overs. Although Shubman Gill tried to stand tall but failed to an unstoppable Boult.

He continued his assassination to break the backbone of India’s batting as he dismissed Kedar Jadhav and Hardik Pandya to complete his five-wicket haul. With this fifer, Boult currently has the joint highest five-wicket haul along with Richard Hadlee. Moreover, his splendid spell also the second best by any New Zealander after Shane Bond.

Moreover, Boult’s form with the new ball will be crucial for the Black Caps going into the ICC World Cup.

• Failure of India’s middle-order

The middle-order have been a concern for the Indian National Cricket team going into the ICC World Cup in May. They are to find a solid no four batsman who has shown consistency to seal the berth. And with the absence of Virat Kohli, their skeleton was once again out against some excellent swing bowling.

Only Hardik Pandya managed to touch the double-digit figure with Ambati Rayudu and Dinesh Karthik getting out on ducks. The management will have to fix these problems if they want to return with the trophy from England in July.

• Lack of support for Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya made a superb comeback to the Indian National Cricket team in the last game at the Bay Oval. He slotted back to the side after a long injury lay off and a suspension for his controversial remarks on a talk show. After a landslide in the opening over, Pandya tried to counter-attack in pursuit of taking the attack to the opposition.

However, he lacked support from the other end, as he got out trying to be over aggressive. He scored 16 runs from 20 deliveries with the help of four boundaries. His counter-attacking reminded everybody of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy knock against Pakistan in the final. But he got out much earlier unlike the final in England.

This will undoubtedly be a confidence boost for him going into the rest of the games.

• Over-dependence on Virat Kohli

Regular Indian National Cricket team skipper Virat Kohli has been the major mainstay in their batting line-up. He has scored the bulk of runs in the last few years leading the side simply on his shoulders. Moreover, he also won the ICC ODI Player of the Year 2018 earlier this month.

However, Kohli is currently on a break from cricket after wrapping up the series in the third ODI. The selectors are planning his workload excellently to keep him fresh for the showpiece event. As a result, the men in blues lacked him as they faltered to put runs on the board. The talismanic run-scorer has been in good form playing valuable knocks in the last few games. However, they need to find an alternative to Virat Kohli as they enter the tournament as one of the title contenders.