Matt Henry's fiery spell leaves India's top order shattered (Img: X)
New Delhi: India's collapse against New Zealand on Friday revived the memories of extraordinary chapters in Indian cricket. Forty-three years after their 9/4 collapse against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup, India suffered the same fate in the fourth ODI at Mount Maunganui.
India suffered a disastrous start after losing their first three wickets without adding a run as it chased a target of 334 runs, . Matt Henry struck with the opening delivery, dismissing Rohit Sharma before sending Virat Kohli and captain Shreyas Iyer back to the pavilion in the same over.
Rohit was caught by Finn Allen at first slip, while Kohli was bowled attempting to defend a delivery that moved back into him. Iyer was trapped LBW after New Zealand successfully overturned the on-field decision through a review.
The collapse continued when Ruturaj Gaikwad departed for five, leaving India reeling at 9/4.
India's 1983 World Cup encounter against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells remains famous for Kapil Dev's unbeaten 175. India were struggling at 17/5 when their captain played a remarkable innings to turn the match around and register one of the most memorable performances in World Cup history.
On Friday, India once again found themselves at 9/4. India, for the second time in ODI history, lost its first four wickets for fewer than 10 runs. The previous instance was the famous collapse against Zimbabwe in 1983.
India's 26/4 in the first 10 overs against New Zealand marked their lowest score in that phase of an ODI since 2018.
Here is the list:
Henry has troubled India's batters in previous matches as well. He claimed 2/10 in Wellington in 2019 and returned with figures of 3/13 against India at Old Trafford during the 2019 World Cup. On Friday, he took 3/14 during the early stages of India's innings.
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Henry has dismissed both Rohit and Kohli three times each in ODIs.
Against the New Zealand pacer, Rohit has scored 57 runs from 71 deliveries, averaging 19 at a strike rate of 80.28.
Kohli, meanwhile, has managed 59 runs off 60 balls against Henry. His average stands at 19.67, while his strike rate is 98.33.
Rohit's dismissal off the opening delivery added his name to an unwanted list of Indian batters who have lost their wickets on the first ball of an ODI innings.
Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag hold the record for the most such dismissals among Indian batters, having been out on the first ball of an ODI innings three times each.
Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Kris Srikkanth, Manoj Prabhakar and Rohit have experienced the same fate once each.
India is also listed in a select group of teams that have lost their first three wickets without scoring a run in an ODI.
The previous instances were:
