Hamilton: Having snatched a thrilling tie from the jaws of defeat in the last game, India will look to build on their new-found momentum and aim for their first win of the tour in order to keep the contest alive when they take on New Zealand in the fourth ODI, here on Tuesday.
The series stands at 2-0 in favour of New Zealand after India lost the first two ODIs in Napier (by 24 runs) and Hamilton (by 15 runs), while the third ODI at Auckland finished in a scintillating last-ball tie on Saturday.
Even though India cannot win the series anymore, the visitors at least can level the series and keep their world number one ranking intact, but for that to happen they need need to win Tuesday’s match at Seddon Park as well as the fifth ODI at Wellington.
New Zealand just need one win our of the two remaining ODIs to seal the series, and their wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi exuded confidence of achieving the target.
“We didn’t lose in Auckland. We obviously would have liked to won. I think a tie was pretty fair result since both sides played some good cricket. It was a serious game of cricket to watch and be a part of. I think it was a fair result in the end,” he said ahead of the fourth ODI.
“We are still playing good cricket and still in a good mind frame, we have to keep going that way. We are very much on target to win the series,” he said.
In Auckland, a predominantly Indian crowd had cheered on the visitors till the last ball, even as the home team seemed a bit flustered.
“Indian fans are everywhere. It was a good atmosphere,” said the wicket-keeper batsman who has played international cricket for both Australia and New Zealand.
“The noise that the crowd made when the second-last ball was hit for six was awesome,” Ronchi said. (PTI)
