New Zealand Struggle to Defend Totals Against India Due to Late Starts

New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy acknowledged that late starts during the home tour against India have contributed to the team's difficulty in defending totals, following a five-wicket defeat in the first ODI at Eden Park.

The hosts were bowled out for 185 after being asked to bat first, and India chased down a revised target of 143 in 32 overs. This marks the fourth time in five matches on the tour that New Zealand failed to defend a total.

Duffy, who took 3/49 in the match, noted that the late start and weather conditions made defending challenging. He mentioned that moisture on the pitch, influenced by rain, affected the ball's behavior, reducing tackiness and bounce.

New Zealand have batted first on all five occasions when India won the toss and chose to field. The only time they successfully defended a total was in the fourth T20I, when their record score of 259 proved too much for India.

Duffy also admitted that 185 was never going to be enough at Eden Park, especially against an Indian batting lineup that capitalized on the conditions during the chase. He praised India's pace attack for using the bounce of the surface effectively.

India's pace attack, including Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, and Anshul Kamboj, took all nine wickets in the innings, with one dismissal coming via a run-out. Duffy credited the Indian quicks for hitting the seam and making effective use of the bounce.