In the fourth ODI match against New Zealand, Team India suffered a loss by 244 runs at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
Team India's management provided an opportunity to Ruturaj Gaikwad. He opened the innings alongside Rohit Sharma, but failed to make the most of it. Facing 13 balls, Gaikwad scored five runs.
Despite a poor show with the willow, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ind-vs-nz-4th-odi-gautam-gambhir-expresses-concern-over-team-india-batting-debacle-after-244-run-loss-23659778" rel="nofollow">Team India's head coach Gautam Gambhir</a> defended the right-handed batsman by saying that the management is looking to provide as many opportunities as possible.
"In the final match of the previous series, Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 60 runs [57], and prior to that, he scored a century against South Africa. We aim to maintain as much continuity as possible and provide players with as many opportunities as we can whether that's as an opener or in the middle order," he said during the post-match press conference.
"It may not always be ideal, but international cricket much like life isn't always fair. Whenever an opportunity arises, you should try to make the most of it. At that time, there was an opening in the middle order, so we gave him that chance," added Gambhir.
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ind-vs-nz-5th-t20i-ishan-kishan-completes-his-half-century-team-india-reach-111-runs-in-10-overs-23657968" rel="nofollow">Ishan Kishan</a> was also pushed down to number five in the batting line-up. Speaking about the change in the left-handed batsman's position, the head coach said that Kishan was well-suited in the middle order.
"Today, an opportunity opened up at the top of the order, so he got that chance. I felt that Ishan was well-suited for the middle order, having played there in England and also batted at number three against the West Indies. Since Ruturaj has opened the batting much more frequently, we felt he would be the better choice at the top of the order, especially when the ball is seaming and swinging," said Gambhir.
Currently, the "Men in Blue" are leading the series 2-1. The visitors will look to bounce back from the humiliating defeat and secure a win in the fifth match to clinch the series. On the other hand, the hosts would look to play for pride, as a win in the fifth match would help them end the series in a tie. It will be interesting to see if the "Black Caps" manage to end the series on a positive note.
<h2>IND vs NZ 5th ODI: Match's date and venue</h2>
The fifth <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ind-vs-nz-4th-odi-new-zealand-matt-henry-reflects-on-his-six-wicket-haul-against-team-india-23659775" rel="nofollow">ODI</a> match is scheduled to be played on November 15 at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
(With ANI Inputs)

IND vs NZ 4th ODI: Gautam Gambhir defended the right-handed batsman by saying that the management is looking to provide as many opportunities as possible

IND vs NZ 4th ODI: Team India's head coach Gautam Gambhir defends Ruturaj Gaikwad despite poor outing

Harmanpreet Kaur gets all waxed out in Jaipur!

Team India's head coach Gautam Gambhir defended the right-handed batsman by saying that the management is looking to provide as many opportunities as possible

IND vs NZ 4th ODI | 'We felt he would be the better choice at the top of the order...': Gambhir on Ruturaj

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Home / Sports / Cricket / Article / IND vs NZ 4th ODI | 'We felt he would be the better choice at the top of the order...': Gambhir on Ruturaj