Rohit Sharma bags first ODI duck in 3 years, scored 5 tons and 11 fifties since

India’s veteran opener Rohit Sharma started his New Zealand tour with a six-ball duck at Eden Park, Auckland. Pacer Kyle Jamieson dismissed Rohit in the first over of India’s run chase. This was Rohit’s first duck in over three years and his first ever on New Zealand soil in the format.

The last time Rohit bagged a duck was in India's ODI World Cup 2023 campaign opener against Australia in Chennai. Coincidentally, it was a six-ball duck then too. Josh Hazlewood dismissed him.

On November 4, Rohit played a loose shot off Jamieson. He chipped a fuller delivery towards mid-off fielder Mitchell Santner. There was not enough power on the shot, and Santner dived to his front to take the catch. This is the third time Jamieson has dismissed Rohit in ODIs.

Since Rohit's previous duck, he has been the highest run-scorer in ODIs (excluding the first ODI versus New Zealand). In 40 innings since the Chennai ODI duck, he has scored 2,008 runs at an average of 51.48, featuring five centuries and 11 fifties.

After the Chennai ODI duck, Rohit has been playing attacking cricket, with his strike rate reaching 111. The duck in Auckland is the 17th duck of Rohit’s ODI career.

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Rohit's ODI record in New Zealand 

In 14 innings, Rohit has scored 437 runs at an average of 33.61. His strike rate drops to 72.23 in ODIs on New Zealand soil. He has four fifties but doesn't have an ODI ton in New Zealand.

Most ODI ducks for India -

Rohit makes an impact with fielding

Earlier in the day, Rohit pulled off a run out to dismiss Daryl Mitchell. In the 22nd over, Glenn Phillips pushed the ball towards mid-wicket. Phillips hesitated, but Daryl was rushing towards the striker's end. Rohit was quick to the ball, and his underarm throw beat Daryl. KL Rahul took off the bails in a flash, and Daryl lost his wicket for a 41-ball 28. He was holding New Zealand's innings together. He had four tons and two fifties against India in the last seven ODI innings. 

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Daryl was the fifth to fall. New Zealand lost half the side for 97. The collapse continued, and New Zealand were nine wickets down in 35.1 overs for 146. It was the 10th-wicket partnership featuring Blair Tickner's 23-ball 34, with four sixes, that took the hosts to 185. The hosts were bowled out in 40.2 overs.

What Santner said on Rohit before the game?

On the eve of the first ODI of the series, Kiwi skipper Santner had said that they have plans in place for Rohit. He feels that bowling short balls isn't the only way to go against Rohit despite plenty bounce on offer in Auckland. 

"Teams have tried to go short at Rohit before, but he hits those for six now,” he said. “If the pitch offers more than the other night, can you do it for a long period of time and challenge the batter? And then if it’s flat, how do we change? What does it look like? Subtle field changes. But I think there’s not too many secrets with ODI cricket with bowling.”

Santner acknowledged the experience the Indian top order has and how successful they've been in the last half-decade.

Their role is to go pretty hard at the top and then set up a good score in the middle and let their power come in at the end. Rohit, obviously, and Kohli have done it for a long time. Shubman has been outstanding as well for the last five years,” said the all-rounder.

This will be likely be the last time Rohit and Kohli tour New Zealand. Santner is happy to have big crowds for the ODI series.

I think it draws the crowds. We’ve had some really good crowds throughout the T20 series, and I expect they’ll be the same with Rohit and Virat being here,” the 34-year-old added.

New Zealand batters disappoint

In the ODI series opener, Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first. In the fourth over, Auqib Nabi would've got his maiden ODI wicket, but Naman Dhir put down Tim Seifert's catch at mid-wicket. In the next over, Arshdeep Singh drew first blood with Will Young's wicket. In his fifth over with the new ball, Arshdeep got Henry Nicholls caught at mid-wicket by Dhir. 

After the drinks break, Gurnoor Brar got the wicket of Seifert with a short ball. Seifert, who played in the absence of Devon Conway, scored 38 runs from 43 balls. In his next over, Brar got Tom Latham out caught and bowled. Following Daryl's run out in the 22nd over, Santner dragged one on to his stumps off Anshul Kamboj's bowling.

In his next over, Kamboj got the wicket of Nathan Smith as Kohli pulled off a stunner at second slip. Arshdeep returned and dismissed Jamieson. An in-form Phillips' resistance ended in the 36th over. Phillips departed after scoring 30 runs from 51 balls.

Blair Tickner went on a six-hitting spree. His first six came off Brar's bowling. He spoiled Arshdeep's bowling figures with three sixes. The left-arm pacer finished his quota of 10 overs with four wickets and 70 runs. Brar wrapped up New Zealand's innings with Tickner's wicket. The 184 all out is New Zealand's fourth lowest ODI score at home against India.

India vs New Zealand 1st ODI Playing XIs -

New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner.

India: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh.