Shreyas Iyer Backs Batters After 244-Run Loss | Winmatch

Well, that was ugly. India lost the fourth ODI against New Zealand by 244 runs, and stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer didn't try to dress it up. His message was pretty direct: nobody threw their wicket away. Let's look at what happened and what he meant.

What Happened in the Fourth ODI

The match was at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Friday, 13 November. New Zealand batted first and made 333, with Will Young hitting 125. India needed 334 to win. They got bowled out for 89 in just 26.4 overs.

The Quick Scorecard

• New Zealand: 333 all out in 50 overs

• India: 89 all out in 26.4 overs

• Result: New Zealand won by 244 runs

• Player of the match: Matt Henry, 6 for 27

Henry's First Over

The game was basically over before it began. Matt Henry took three wickets in the very first over. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Iyer himself all went for ducks, so India were 0 for 3. Ishan Kishan was the top scorer with just 27. After that it was a matter of time.

Iyer's Blunt Response

After the match, Iyer gave Henry full credit. He said that even if you looked closely at the dismissals, nobody threw their wicket away. They were good deliveries, plain and simple. It's a fair point, and a refreshing one. No excuses, no blaming the batters.

Good Balls, Not Bad Shots

Think about it. Three of the best batters in the world got out in six balls. That doesn't usually happen because of careless batting. It happens when a bowler is on top of his game and the batters don't get much to work with.

Moving On Quickly

Iyer also said India need to forget this one fast. They still lead the series 2-1, and he wants the team to remember the two wins they already have.

Was It All Henry?

Not completely. Young's 125 came after a couple of simple drops by the Indian fielders, and those extra runs made the chase harder. Then the batting never really recovered. Axar Patel and Naman Dhir both got 21, but nobody stayed long enough to build a partnership.

Henry himself said the strong wind meant he wasn't too worried about swing. That's an interesting detail. It suggests he kept things simple and let the pace and the line do the job.

Will Young Deserves Credit Too

It's easy to forget the first half of the game, but Young's hundred was his fifth in ODIs. New Zealand were bowled out in the last over of their innings, so they used every ball. Without that 333, Henry's spell wouldn't have turned into a 244-run win. A target of 334 puts any chasing team under pressure from ball one.

That's the thing about this result. It wasn't just one bowler having a great day. New Zealand did well with the bat first, and India helped them with a couple of dropped catches.

The Numbers Aren't Pretty

It's India's second-biggest ODI defeat by runs, and their heaviest since 2000. Their 89 was also their sixth-lowest ODI total. They only just avoided their lowest-ever score against New Zealand, which is 88. Not the sort of record anyone wants.

What's Next

The fifth and final ODI is on Sunday, 15 November, at the same ground in Mount Maunganui. India lead 2-1, so New Zealand have to win to level the series, and a win for India seals it. After a day like this one, expect India's batters to come out with something to prove.

Follow the India vs New Zealand Series With Winmatch

A big upset like this gets talked about for days. Some ways to stay on top of it:

1. Check the official scorecard first.

2. Watch the first over of Sunday's match. It could set the tone again.

3. Don't read too much into one bad day, it happens to every team.

Winmatch Tips for Cricket Fans

Following the series on Winmatch? Read the Winmatch bonus terms before you sign up for any offer. Rules change from region to region, so check yours too, and keep it fun.

Final Thoughts

Iyer's honesty was the best part of a rough day. India lost, but they haven't lost the series. Sunday's decider should be a good one.