![Gautam Gambhir Acknowledges India's Batting Woes [Source: @Sahil_Malhotra1/X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794561780888_GautamGambhirIndia.jpg?type=hq)
Gautam Gambhir Acknowledges India's Batting Woes [Source: @Sahil_Malhotra1/X]
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed deep concern after India’s brutal collapse in the 4th ODI against New Zealand. He admitted that with the 2027 World Cup inching closer, such batting woes are not acceptable.
In the 4th ODI between India and New Zealand held at Mount Maunganui, the hosts set a target of 334 runs. However, in the chase, the men in blue were bamboozled as Matt Henry wiped out the top order in the first over itself.
Gautam Gambhir raises concerns over India’s batting in testing conditions
There was no recovery from there as India went from 0/3 to 89/10, thus losing the game by a humiliating margin of 244 runs. Following the brutal collapse, head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the press conference.
He acknowledged that India's batting was a concern, particularly with the team struggling against New Zealand's bowling attack in consecutive matches. He believes that even though Henry bowled exceptionally well, India's batters should have found ways to handle his deliveries.
"There are no unplayable deliveries in international cricket. Matt Henry bowled in good areas but we should be able to negate that. You are always concerned when you get bundled out for 90 odd. These are conditions close to World Cup. Even previous game we lost seven wickets, its a concern," Gambhir said.
Gambhir also pointed out that the problem was not limited to this match. India had also lost seven wickets for 111 runs in the previous game, making the repeated batting collapses a worrying pattern.
"Even last game we were 7 down for 111 it is a bit of concern. We need to be mentally, skill wise ready. 35-40/0 is fine in conditions like these. We have experience and can hopefully adapt in the last game," he added.
India’s problematic batting pattern on New Zealand tour
Interestingly, Indian batters have struggled very heavily on this New Zealand tour. In the first ODI, two batters were dismissed on a duck, including Rohit Sharma in a 186-run chase.
Later, in the second ODI, India survived a massive scare. While chasing 135 runs in a rain-hit game, they lost 7 wickets for 113 runs, but luckily, the DLS method worked in the visitors' favour.
However, in the 4th ODI, things went completely haywire for India. It was a horrible collapse with the top 3 batters failing to score a single run. And this loss will hurt India more because the pitch was not that difficult to bat on.
It remains to be seen how India moves on from this loss against New Zealand. The series will now resume with the series decider, the 5th ODI, which is scheduled for November 15 at Mount Maunganui.
