Hamilton: India, in a must win situation to level the series, posted a target of 278 runs for New Zealand in the fourth ODI here today.
VIEW IN PICS: Glimpses of how India lost 4th ODI to New Zealand
India got off to poor start losing Virat Kohli, who was promoted because Dhawan was rested, when the score was just five. Soon Rahane too departed without making any substantial contribution.
At this point India, who chose to bat first after winning the toss for the first time in this series, were in all sort of trouble. Rayudu, who replaced Suresh Raina, joined Rohit and added 79 runs for third wicket. He made 37 runs.
After India lost three wickets for 101 captain cool Dhoni along with opener Rohit Sharma, who has had a poor series so far, steadied the inning and put on 41 runs but when both were looking settled, Williamson had Rohit caught behind. Rohit contributed 79 runs with 6x4 and 4x6.
Ashwin who won the confidence of skipper as a batsman, once again came ahead of Jadeja but could not repeat the performance of previous match, got caught cheaply.
But last match hero Jadeja did not disappoint his skipper and helped Dhoni post a decent total. Dhoni remained not out on 79 and Jadeja on 62.
For host Tim Southee with his economical bowling took two wickets conceding just 36 runs in his ten overs.
Earlier Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat first.
Both teams made two changes to their lineups. India named Stuart Binny and Ambati Rayudu in place of Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina while New Zealand recalled Kyle Mills and Jimmy Neesham at the expense of Mitchell McClenaghan and Corey Anderson.
