New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry produced a stunning opening over against India, dismissing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer for ducks to leave the visitors reeling at 0/3 in their ODI chase at Bay Oval. India lost three of their most experienced batters without scoring a single run, with Ruturaj Gaikwad watching the entire over from the non-striker’s end.
Henry struck with the very first delivery, getting Rohit caught by Finn Allen. Kohli walked in at No. 3 but lasted just four balls before being bowled by the New Zealand pacer. Shreyas Iyer then arrived at the crease and was trapped leg-before-wicket off the sixth and final delivery of the over.
By the end of the first over, India had lost three wickets without opening their account. Gaikwad, who had been at the non-striker’s end throughout, was the only batter among India’s top four yet to face a delivery.
The collapse also created an unwanted record for Indian men’s ODI cricket. The previous lowest score at the fall of India’s third wicket was 2/3, against Australia in Chennai during the 2023 World Cup. On that occasion, the third wicket fell in the second over. Henry managed to claim all three wickets in the opening over at Bay Oval without conceding a run.
India had begun the chase with a required run rate of 6.68, which rose to 6.82 after Henry’s maiden over. With 49 overs still available, Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan had time to rebuild the innings, but the early dismissals left India with a difficult decision about how to approach the chase.
The three wickets removed different dimensions of India’s batting order. Rohit was expected to provide an aggressive start, Kohli’s experience was crucial in managing a long chase, while captain Iyer would normally have been central to the middle overs.
Gaikwad and Kishan needed to balance the urgency of the required rate with the risk of losing another wicket. Taking on Henry’s opening spell could expose the incoming batters to further pressure, while allowing too many quiet overs would leave the lower order with a bigger task.
After just six deliveries, India were already facing a major challenge, with Henry delivering one of the most extraordinary opening overs in ODI cricket.
