Has Matt Henry been the best ODI bowler vs India?
What's the story
In a phenomenal display of fast bowling, New Zealand pacer Matt Henry wreaked havoc on the Indian cricket team in the fourth ODI at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The Indian side was bowled out for a mere 89 runs in just 26.4 overs, handing New Zealand a massive victory by 244 runs. Henry, who trapped three batters for ducks in the opening over of the innings, went on to claim a six-wicket haul. On this note, we look at his stunning ODI stats against India.
Early collapse
Henry's magic once more against India
The match took a dramatic turn when seagulls began circling the Bay Oval as India started their run chase.
Henry dismissed Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer in the very first over of India's innings.
This is only the third time a bowler has taken three or more wickets in the first over of an ODI innings since ball-by-ball records began, as per Cricbuzz.
This was reminiscent of what happened in the 2019 World Cup semifinal, where both Indian openers - Rohit and KL Rahul - fell to Henry after scoring one run each.
Spell
Second Kiwi bowler with ODI six-fer vs India
Henry was the pick of the bowlers with impressive figures of 6/27 in 9.4 overs.
This was his maiden six-fer in the format, which has powered him to 178 wickets across 96 ODIs at an average of 24.29, as per Cricinfo.
Meanwhile, Henry became the second Kiwi bowler after Shane Bond (6/19 in Bulawayo, 2005) with an ODI six-fer vs India.
Elite list
Second fifer vs India
With this spell, Henry became the first New Zealander and seventh bowler overall with multiple ODI five-wicket hauls versus India.
The veteran pacer previously claimed 5/42 in the 2025 Champions Trophy clash versus India in Dubai.
Bond (3 vs Australia), Trent Boult (2 vs Australia), and Ben Sears (2 vs Pakistan) are the other Kiwi bowlers with multiple ODI 5-fers against an opponent.
Elite list
Henry joins these names
Overall, there have been four instances of Henry taking four or more wickets against India in an ODI - the joint-most for any bowler.
He now shares the top spot with West Indies's Ravi Rampaul, Sri Lanka's Ajantha Mendis, Australia's Brett Lee, and Pakistan's Aaqib Javed.
However, Henry accomplished this feat in just 12 innings.
This includes his 4/38 in the 2014 Wellington match, which marked his ODI debut.
Henry vs India
27 wickets versus India with best average
Henry currently owns 27 ODI wickets versus India at an average of 17.33 and an economy rate of 4.33.
No other bowler who has bowled in 12 or fewer innings versus India has even 25 wickets.
The NZ star also happens to be the only bowler to claim 25-plus scalps versus India while averaging under 20.