"Thought that maybe they could win this game easily" - Former CSK batter's interesting take on India's run chase effort in NZ vs IND 2026 4th T20I

Former India batter Ambati Rayudu feels that the team management believed that they could chase down the mammoth 260-run target in the fourth T20I against New Zealand, on the back of recent displays. The Shreyas Iyer-led side, however, crumbled to post only 172-9, suffering their first loss in the series.

India's run-chase hopes were squandered in the first over itself after Jacob Duffy had Sanju Samson caught behind for 4 and Ishan Kishan caught and bowled for a duck. India soon found themselves 61/4 at the end of the powerplay, with the required rate rising steadily. Naman Dhir made 28 off 13, Tilak Varma top-scored with 35 off 35, but it was far from enough as the visitors fell well short of the target.

India had completed three consecutive run chases in the series earlier. They achieved their highest-ever run chase in the series opener in Christchurch, and recently chased down 199 in 13.2 overs in the third T20I in Wellington.

Ambati Rayudu felt New Zealand were always a step ahead of India in the fourth T20I, resulting in the crushing loss.

“All in all, I just felt that we were behind the 8-ball for quite a while in both batting and bowling. I think the Indian team thought that maybe they could win this game easily, but New Zealand wanted to prove a point,” Rayudu said on Cricbuzz.

Dinesh Karthik, on the same panel, added that India just had a rare off-day and credited the New Zealand pacers for making things difficult for the Indian batters.

“Their bowlers bowled much better. For the first time, I saw how they made sure Abhishek Sharma got no room. They came out with better plans; they executed better. I would not read too much if I am an Indian fan, because they have shown how good they can be in alien conditions. Today was a blip in the whole format for them after some time now,” Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

Abhishek Sharma, who had scored a record ton in the previous match, was tied down at one end, before departing for 27 off 15. The southpaw had recently reclaimed his spot at No.1 in the ICC T20I Rankings for batters.

“If Varun or Kuldeep had played, how would the game look?” - Dinesh Karthik on India's bowling conceding massive totals amid NZ vs IND 2026 T20Is

India stuck with their same combination, focusing on batting depth in the fourth T20I, leaving no room for a frontline spinner yet again. The Indian bowlers have now conceded totals of over 220, thrice in their last seven matches, setting a dangerous pattern that needs addressing.

Dinesh Karthik remarked that a combination of flat pitches, short boundaries, and India's lack of an extra frontline bowling option has contributed to this situation.

“India have gone with the philosophy that we will be batting deep, they are okay to go one bowler short, hence you see these tall scores. Add to the fact, they are playing on some real flat pitches, boundaries are much shorter, and the general power in the game has increased exponentially. So, if you take everything into account. I feel those are the scores that reflect what India has done. Can it get better? For that, I think you need to bring in a proper bowler. If Varun or Kuldeep had played, how would the game look? We are seeing Santner bowl so well, what would Varun or Kuldeep bring to the table?” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

India and New Zealand will face off in the final T20I of the series at the Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday, November 1.

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