What did Gill say about the ODI series loss to NZ?
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Synopsis
In the aftermath of India's ODI series defeat against New Zealand, Shubman Gill reflects on the team's shortcomings in batting and fielding. He emphasizes the need for improvement as they look ahead to the upcoming T20I series and ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Discover the insights from the captain on the match and the way forward.
Key Takeaways
- Batters need to convert starts into significant scores.
- Fielding standards must improve for better results.
- Upcoming T20I series is crucial for team preparation.
- Captain Shubman Gill emphasizes learning from defeats.
- New Zealand's performance showcased their strengths in crucial moments.
Indore, Jan 19 (NationPress) Following India's 1-2 home ODI series loss to New Zealand, captain Shubman Gill acknowledged that the team underperformed in various areas. He specifically noted that the batsmen could not capitalize on their promising starts and criticized the fielding quality throughout the series, calling it "not up to the mark".
New Zealand secured their inaugural ODI series victory over India on their home soil with a 41-run win in the third ODI held in Indore. This marked India's first defeat in 14 home ODIs when they won the toss.
The ODI series occurred just over 16 months after New Zealand's Test team achieved a 3-0 whitewash against India in a three-Test series in 2024.
After India lost Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul within the first six overs, they found themselves struggling at 71/4 around the 13th over. Despite Virat Kohli's remarkable effort leading to his 54th ODI century, India ultimately fell short against the Kiwis, who benefited from centuries by Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips.
“All of us, all the batsmen. I don’t think we have been able to convert starts. There are high-scoring matches in India and if the batsmen, especially two of them at the top, are not able to convert starts then we won’t be able to post big scores,” Gill expressed during the press conference.
“I honestly felt our fielding in this series was not up to the mark. We dropped crucial catches, which made it difficult for bowlers to create opportunities on wickets like this. It’s an area where we need significant improvement.
“The key differences between the two teams were that their batsmen capitalized on their starts, and New Zealand excelled in the field, saving at least 15-20 runs during the match. Such factors make a considerable difference,” he added.
Reflecting on the team's bowling performance, especially Kuldeep Yadav, who took three wickets across three games, averaging over 60 with a strike rate of 50.
“Sometimes, it happens. Kuldeep (Yadav), based on his recent performances, has consistently been a strike bowler for us. It’s unfortunate that he couldn't take more wickets this time. Such series are crucial for our growth,” Gill commented.
India and New Zealand are set to face each other next in a five-match T20I series starting on Wednesday, serving as their final preparation before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, commencing on February 7.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize that while the series loss may sting, it serves as an opportunity for reflection and growth for the Indian cricket team. Shubman Gill's acknowledgment of areas needing improvement is a step in the right direction. As the T20 World Cup approaches, the team must regroup and harness the lessons learned to enhance their performance.
NationPress
19/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the main reasons for India’s ODI series loss to New Zealand?
India's ODI series defeat was primarily due to the batsmen's failure to convert starts into significant scores and subpar fielding, which allowed New Zealand to capitalize on their opportunities.
How did Shubman Gill react to the series loss?
Shubman Gill expressed disappointment, acknowledging that the team's performance fell short in batting and fielding, emphasizing the need for improvement.
What is the upcoming challenge for the Indian cricket team?
The Indian cricket team will face New Zealand in a five-match T20I series, which is crucial as they prepare for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
