Kohli, Sharma, Iyer Removed: Triple-Wicket Maiden Leaves India Reeling at 0/3 in 334-Run Chase

India suffered a catastrophic start to their 334-run chase against New Zealand, losing three top-order wickets without scoring a single run in the opening over of the fourth ODI on Friday.

Fast bowler Matt Henry dismantled India’s top order with a sensational triple-wicket maiden at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Striking on the first, fifth, and sixth deliveries of the innings, Henry reduced the visitors to 0/3 and handed New Zealand immediate control of the contest.

The Opening-Over Collapse

New Zealand's new-ball spearhead needed just one delivery to make an impact. Henry extracted sharp bounce from a short-of-a-good-length delivery, forcing Rohit Sharma to edge the ball straight to Finn Allen at slip for a golden duck.

Virat Kohli walked in to steady the innings, only to suffer a similar fate four balls later. Henry sent down a sharp in-seamer on the fifth delivery that breached Kohli’s defences and crashed into the stumps, dismissing him for nought.

The carnage concluded on the final ball of the over. Facing his first delivery, Shreyas Iyer was struck on the pads by another incisive delivery. Although the on-field umpire initially turned down the appeal, New Zealand opted for a review that overturned the decision and trapped Iyer lbw for a golden duck.

Steep Climb at Bay Oval

Henry ended the dramatic opening over with extraordinary figures of 3 for 0, leaving India facing a monumental task to overhaul New Zealand's first-innings total of 333. With seven wickets remaining and 334 runs still required, the visitors' middle order faces immense pressure to rescue the innings.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand batted through their full quota of 50 overs to post 333 on the board. India entered the fourth fixture at Mount Maunganui holding a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, following a washout in the third ODI.