'No unplayable deliveries': Gambhir raises 'concern' after India's horror show

India head coach Gautam Gambhir admitted that the team's batting failures were a major concern after their humiliating 244-run defeat against New Zealand in the fourth ODI, but insisted that the batters needed to find ways to counter challenging conditions.India were bundled out for just 89 while chasing 334, suffering their second-biggest defeat by runs in ODI cricket. Matt Henry led New Zealand's demolition job with a sensational six-wicket haul, exposing India's vulnerability against seam movement and disciplined bowling.Asked about India's struggles against the wobble seam, Gambhir chose not to get into the technical aspects of batting, instead putting the responsibility on the batters to adapt."I don’t go into technicality.

There wasn’t a lot of deviation, its job of batter to negate movement. More than seam, areas and length created problems for us. We got stuck into the crease," Gambhir said during the post-match press conference.The India head coach also pointed out that the team's batting collapses were becoming a recurring concern. India had lost seven wickets for 111 in the previous game as well, and Gambhir stressed the need for the players to be better prepared both mentally and technically."Even last game we were 7 down for 111 it is a bit of concern.

We need to be mentally, skill wise ready. 35-40/0 is fine in conditions like these. We have experience and can hopefully adapt in the last game," he said.Gambhir further refused to describe Henry's deliveries as unplayable, maintaining that India's experienced batting line-up should have been capable of dealing with the New Zealand pacer's challenge."There are no unplayable deliveries in international cricket.

Matt Henry bowled in good areas but we should be able to negate that. You are always concerned when you get bundled out for 90 odd. These are conditions close to World Cup. Even previous game we lost seven wickets, its a concern," he added.Henry's opening over set the tone for India's collapse as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer were dismissed without scoring. Kyle Jamieson then removed Ruturaj Gaikwad, leaving India reeling at 9/4.Ishan Kishan and Axar Patel briefly resisted with a 44-run partnership, but Henry returned to dismiss Kishan and finish with figures of 6/27.Gambhir also reflected on India's missed opportunities in the field, particularly the chances offered by New Zealand centurion Will Young.

The batter was dropped twice early in his innings before going on to score 125, helping the visitors post 333.The India coach also felt that Auqib Nabi was unfortunate not to dismiss Young, but acknowledged that dropped catches ultimately proved costly."Auqib Nabi was unlucky, had we got Will Young it could have been different. There’s always hindsight. We dropped catches and will have to pay for it," Gambhir said.Despite the heavy defeat, India remain 2-1 ahead in the five-match series.

The fifth and final ODI on Sunday will decide the series, with Gambhir hoping his experienced batting unit can respond after two consecutive games in which the team has suffered significant middle-order and lower-order collapses.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.