'It did bring back memories of that semi-final' — Dinesh Karthik on Matt Henry's spell in NZ vs IND 4th ODI

At Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on November 13, 2026, Matt Henry produced a career-best bowling performance of 6 for 27 in 9.4 overs as New Zealand defeated India by 244 runs in the 4th ODI of the series. India, set a target of 334, were bowled out for just 89 in 26.4 overs, suffering their second-heaviest defeat by runs in ODI history.

Henry, returning from injury and playing his first ODI of the series, dismantled India's top order in the opening over itself, removing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer without a run on the board. Rohit edged to slip, Kohli was bowled, and Iyer was given out LBW on review, leaving India at 0 for 3 inside the first over. Ishan Kishan and Kuldeep Yadav also fell to Henry, while Gurnoor Brar completed the rout to help wrap up the innings inside 27 overs. New Zealand's total of 333 had been built substantially on Will Young's 125.

Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, who was part of India's 2019 World Cup squad, said Henry's opening burst at Bay Oval brought back vivid memories of the 2019 World Cup semi-final at Old Trafford. Karthik remarked that Henry had long been a difficult bowler for India on pitches offering movement, and his display on November 13 was a reminder of that quality. Murali Kartik also observed that losing three wickets in the opening over made any recovery virtually impossible, particularly while chasing 334.

What did Dinesh Karthik and Murali Kartik say about Henry's opening spell?

Henry's first over at Bay Oval was the decisive passage of play. Karthik explained that Henry's ability to angle the ball away from right-handers made him exceptionally difficult to counter, and that the delivery which accounted for Rohit Sharma was almost unplayable because of the angle created. Karthik, speaking as a commentator, drew on his experience as a player to describe how a batter instinctively lines up for the ball coming in, only to be undone by the one that leaves.

"Extraordinary start. That first over was unplayable. When someone bowls like that, you have to doff your hat off and say, ‘Well done’. I think it was one of those days when he got everything on point. It did bring back memories of that semi-final. That is how efficient he was on that day, and today as well. He has been one such bowler who has been a thorn in India’s flesh for some time now on pitches that have a bit. He is able to take the ball away, and that is how he got Rohit Sharma out, and it is an impossible delivery to play, actually, because of the angle he creates. You almost line up for the one that comes in," Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz

Murali Kartik echoed that view, stating that when a side loses its top three without scoring, the chance of recovery is rare and victory becomes impossible.

"This game was over in the first over, 100 percent. When you are 0 for 3, recovery is rare, and victory is impossible. When you have got your top three gone for 0, you are not coming back from that, especially when you are chasing 334. It was only a matter of time. Some deliveries were absolutely unplayable. Matt Henry asked some tough questions today," he said, via the aforementioned source.

How does Henry's 2026 spell compare to his 2019 World Cup semi-final performance against India?

The 2019 World Cup semi-final at Old Trafford in July 2019 remains a painful reference point for Indian cricket. In that match, India were chasing 240 and were reduced to 3 for 37 in the early stages, ultimately losing by 18 runs. Henry was central to that early damage, removing Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul in the opening spell and then accounting for Dinesh Karthik as the third wicket to fall.

Karthik himself was involved in a notable moment from that innings. Having survived 25 balls and scored 6 runs, he edged Henry towards point, where Jimmy Neesham took a one-handed catch to end his innings. That dismissal was the third wicket Henry claimed in the semi-final, and it effectively ended India's realistic hopes of reaching the final. India were bowled out for 221 in that match.

Henry had also troubled India in the 2025 Champions Trophy group stage, taking 5 wickets for 42 runs in that fixture, further underlining his record against this opposition. The 4th ODI at Bay Oval on November 13, 2026, where he finished with 6 for 27, represents his best return against India across all formats. The 5th and final ODI of the series is scheduled for November 15 at the same venue, Mount Maunganui.