Image Source: Cricinfo
Matt Henry produced a sensational opening spell as New Zealand seized control of the fourth ODI against India at Mount Maunganui on Friday, November 13, 2026. The fast bowler ripped through India’s top order, leaving the visitors in serious trouble during a dramatic start to their chase.
Matt Henry Delivers a Stunning Three-Wicket Over
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and India opted to bowl first, but the hosts responded with a powerful total of 333 in 50 overs. When India began their reply, Henry immediately found movement, bounce and precision against a prominent batting line-up.
Rohit Sharma was the first to fall, dismissed for a golden duck from the opening delivery. The India opener attempted to drive a slower, shortish delivery, but a thick outside edge flew to Finn Allen at first slip.
Virat Kohli then walked in, only to depart without scoring. Henry beat him with a low nip-backer that moved sharply into the right-hander and crashed into the stumps. Kohli’s dismissal came after just four balls, putting India under extraordinary pressure.
Shreyas Iyer suffered the same fate soon afterwards. Initially given not out, the India captain was dismissed after New Zealand successfully reviewed the decision. Ball-tracking showed three reds, confirming that the inswinging delivery would have hit the stumps.
In the space of one over, Henry had removed three of India’s most experienced batters. India were reduced to 0/3, with two batters dismissed for golden ducks and Kohli also departing without troubling the scorers.
India Collapse Despite Henry’s Relentless Pressure
Henry continued to trouble India’s batters with a disciplined line outside off stump and clever changes of pace. His pressure created another breakthrough in the sixth over when Ruturaj Gaikwad edged a rising delivery to second slip.
Gaikwad made only five runs from 13 balls, leaving Ishan Kishan and Axar Patel to attempt a rescue mission. Henry’s first spell ended with outstanding figures of 6-2-16-3, including two maidens. He conceded only one run across a remarkable sequence of 16 deliveries before Kishan finally broke the shackles.
By the end of the powerplay, India were struggling at 26/4 and required 308 runs from the remaining 40 overs. Kishan struck a few boundaries while Axar Patel tried to rebuild the innings, but New Zealand’s tall seamers continued to make scoring difficult.
Kyle Jamieson complemented Henry brilliantly from the other end. His tight line and steep bounce produced two maiden overs, preventing India from gaining any momentum during the most important phase of the chase.
Will Young’s Century Sets Up New Zealand
New Zealand’s imposing target was built around a brilliant century from Will Young. The batter scored 125 from 108 balls, including 14 boundaries and four sixes, to produce his first ODI hundred against India.
Tim Seifert also made a valuable contribution, scoring 58 from 48 balls with six boundaries and three sixes. The opening pair gave New Zealand a brisk start before Seifert was dismissed by Gurnoor Brar.
India fought back during the middle overs. Axar Patel claimed two wickets, while Brar finished with 2/69. Rohit Sharma also took a superb catch to dismiss Finn Allen for 41, and Arshdeep Singh removed Santner for 24.
However, Young’s commanding innings and useful lower-order contributions from New Zealand ensured that the hosts reached 333. Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner and Kristian Clarke helped maintain the scoring rate before India dismissed the final batters in the last over.
India’s Series Lead Faces a Tough Test
India entered the fourth ODI leading the five-match series 2-0 after the third match was washed out. The team made three changes, bringing in Gaikwad, Kishan and Kuldeep Yadav as Shubman Gill and KL Rahul left to prepare for the upcoming Test series.
Shreyas Iyer is leading India in the absence of Gill, while Kishan has taken over wicketkeeping responsibilities. New Zealand also made several changes because of Test preparations, giving opportunities to players such as Seifert, Nick Kelly and Kristian Clarke.
Henry’s extraordinary opening spell has given New Zealand the perfect start in their bid to keep the series alive. For India, the immediate challenge is to find a reliable partnership and survive the sustained pressure from New Zealand’s pace attack.
FAQs
How many wickets did Matt Henry take?
Matt Henry took three wickets in his opening spell against India and finished with figures of 3/16 from six overs.
Which Indian batters did Matt Henry dismiss?
He dismissed Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer during a devastating opening over.
What was India’s score after the powerplay?
India were 26/4 after 10 overs and needed 308 more runs to reach New Zealand’s total.
What was New Zealand’s first-innings score?
New Zealand were bowled out for 333 in 50 overs, led by Will Young’s 125.
Who scored a century for New Zealand?
Will Young scored 125 from 108 balls, including 14 fours and four sixes.
