![The India team collapsed in front of Matt Henry [Source: X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794553632837_Indiateambattingcollapse.jpg?type=hq)
The India team collapsed in front of Matt Henry [Source: X]
India’s chase of 334 runs against New Zealand got off to a disastrous start as Matt Henry produced a sensational opening spell at the Bay Oval on November 13.
The pacer struck with his very first delivery before removing two more key batters in the same over. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were among the early casualties, leaving India in deep trouble and putting the visitors under immediate pressure to chase a target of 334 runs.
Matt Henry Dismisses Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer in Stunning Opening Over
Matt Henry needed just six deliveries to leave India's batting order in complete disarray. Bowling the opening over, the New Zealand pacer struck with his very first ball, dismissing Rohit Sharma for a golden duck.
Rohit attempted to defend a good-length delivery outside off but closed the face of his bat too early. The ball took a thick outside edge, and Finn Allen completed a sharp catch at first slip.
Virat Kohli walked in at No. 3 but could not survive Henry's opening burst either. After playing and missing a couple of deliveries, Kohli was beaten by a good-length ball that pitched outside off. The ball crashed into the off and middle stumps, sending Kohli back for a four-ball duck.
The damage continued when stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer arrived at the crease. Henry trapped him in front with another delivery that moved back in and kept low. Ball-tracking showed three reds, confirming that the delivery would have hit the stumps. Iyer also departed without scoring.
Henry finished the opening over with three wickets and no runs conceded, handing New Zealand a remarkable start to India's 334-run chase. He continued to trouble the batters, eventually returning figures of 3 wickets for just one run from three overs, including two maidens.
The internet was furious at the disgraceful collapse of India in New Zealand and bashed the senior India veterans for the failure:
“Without Gill in the Top order india is nothing atleast he Plays with control and hold the Wicket!!" - @baapofleftwing
“When I checked the scorecard, India was 2-3, and I was just hoping that Rohit Sharma hadn't gotten out” - @Adarsh_Jha_07
“Old wounds of swing and spin reopened! The ball moved both ways, and Indian batters started dancing. 3 ducks, zero counter-planning. Same old story, new nightmare!” - @pupetlal
“7 years down, the lane they still cannot play Matt Henry. Warra bowler” - @Priyanshuu07
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Register Rare ODI Record
The early dismissals also brought an unwanted record for India's two senior batters. This was only the second occasion on which Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were both dismissed for ducks in the same ODI. The previous instance came against Sri Lanka in Dambulla in 2010.
Rohit's dismissal also added his name to the list of Indian batters dismissed off the first ball of an ODI innings. Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag lead the list with three such dismissals each, while Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Kris Srikkanth, Manoj Prabhakar and Rohit have one each.
Henry, meanwhile, became only the third New Zealand bowler to take a wicket with the first ball of an ODI innings against India. Richard Hadlee achieved the feat at the WACA in 1980 by dismissing Gavaskar, while Daryl Tuffey removed Ganguly in Wellington in 2003.
