Following India's ODI series loss to New Zealand, captain Shubman Gill has taken responsibility, highlighting the failure of the top-order batsmen, including himself and possibly his predecessor Rohit Sharma, to convert starts into significant scores. New Zealand secured a 2-1 series victory, marking their first ODI series win on Indian soil since 1988. This is especially notable considering they were fielding a second-string side.
In the aftermath of the 41-run defeat in the series-deciding match in Indore on Sunday, Gill didn't shy away from addressing the team's shortcomings. He acknowledged deficiencies in all departments, particularly the batting performance over the series. Gill stated that the team's inability to capitalize on good starts was a major issue, especially in high-scoring matches where the top-order needs to set the tone. He pointed out that failing to convert these starts put immense pressure on the rest of the batting lineup.
Gill also addressed the bowling performance, noting the lack of wickets in the middle overs. He emphasized the importance of taking wickets during this phase, especially with five fielders inside the circle, to control the scoring and defend any target effectively. Gill felt the bowlers struggled to maintain pressure after a promising start, allowing New Zealand to capitalize on loose deliveries and build crucial partnerships. He also commented on Kuldeep Yadav's recent form, acknowledging that while Kuldeep has been a strike bowler for the team in the past, he wasn't able to take as many wickets in this series.
Reflecting on the second ODI loss, Gill had said the inability to pick up wickets in the middle overs was critical. Despite putting up a competitive total of 284 in Rajkot, the Indian bowlers could not prevent Daryl Mitchell from leading a controlled chase, securing New Zealand's first ODI win in India in almost nine years. Gill honestly shared his views on where India lost control, reflecting on the flat bowling performance during the middle overs and the early batting setbacks.
Despite the disappointing result, Gill identified some positives, including Virat Kohli's and Harshit Rana's batting performances, as well as the fast bowlers' efforts. Looking ahead to the 2027 World Cup, Gill highlighted the importance of providing opportunities to players like Nitish Kumar. He believes that these series, despite the setbacks, provide valuable learning experiences and help the team grow.
