RANCHI: New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson said the absence of dew during India’s chase in the day/night fourth ODI had helped his side to successfully defend 260 to stay alive in the five-match series after having opted to bat first in what was a must-win game for the visitors in Ranchi.
“Coming here, we had to decide between dew that may or may not come in versus the deterioration of the surface. The dew didn’t come in, so that perhaps worked in our favour,” the Kiwi skipper told a post-match news conference on Wednesday.
“Absolutely happy and proud. What we wanted was build partnerships. It was not an easy surface. Although you always want more, 260 was not a bad effort on that surface.
“It’s exciting to go 2-2 in the series. India are a great side, it is exciting to go level into the final match.”
Opener Martin Guptill was adjudged man of the match for his 72.
“It certainly is a great feeling. To put up a performance myself and give the team a defendable total is satisfying,” he said.
“We thought we could have got more but it was a defendable total. It came down to our bowlers to do the job, and they did. Virat (Kohli) is a class player and to get him early was a big step,” he added.
