India aims to secure the series against New Zealand in the fourth ODI scheduled for Friday, November 13, at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The Indian team holds a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, with the third match having been abandoned due to rain.
Shreyas Iyer will captain India for the first time in ODIs, supported by wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan. Notably, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul have shifted their focus to Test preparations, leading to the inclusion of Tilak Varma, Yash Thakur, and Kumar Kushagra in the squad.
India’s bowling has played a crucial role in their success so far, restricting New Zealand to 185 runs at Eden Park and 134 runs in Wellington. Gurnoor Brar delivered a standout performance in the second match, taking 4 wickets for 30 runs on a favorable pitch.
New Zealand, still in search of their first victory in the series, will be without fast bowlers Lockie Ferguson and Blair Tickner. Kristian Clarke has been added to their squad, while Matt Henry returns after missing the last match due to an injury.
Weather Forecast for the 4th ODI
The weather forecast for Friday predicts sunny and dry conditions in Tauranga, marking a shift from earlier matches in the series. The Met Office reports that the chance of rain will remain below 5% during play, with AccuWeather estimating the likelihood at 1% throughout the day.
Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 23°C during the afternoon, dropping to 14°C by 11 PM. Winds will be moderate, blowing from the west at speeds between 14 to 18 km/h, with gusts up to 31 km/h in the late afternoon.
The hourly weather report indicates minimal disruption due to rain. The chance remains below 5% for each hour during the match, increasing to 10% by late evening, but this is unlikely to affect the outcome.
In the event of rain causing interruptions, the game can be revised using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, but a minimum of 20 overs per side is required for a result. There is no reserve day scheduled, meaning an abandoned match would leave India with a 2-0 lead heading into the final ODI, set for Sunday, November 15.
The fourth ODI will commence at 3:00 PM local time, which is 7:30 AM IST. The toss is scheduled for 2:30 PM local time, or 7:00 AM IST. Fans can watch the match live in India on the Sony Sports Network, with streaming options available on SonyLIV and free access through DD Sports for those with DD Free Dish.
