Post by : Meena Ariff

India captain Shubman Gill admitted that the team has “a lot of areas” to improve despite some strong individual performances after losing the ODI series to New Zealand on Sunday, January 19, 2026.

Virat Kohli continued his remarkable run of form by scoring his record-extending 54th ODI century, but it was not enough as India lost the series decider by 41 runs while chasing a stiff target of 338. The hosts were bowled out for 296 in 46 overs on a pitch that largely favoured batting, with short boundaries at the Holkar Stadium.

India’s chase got off to a poor start as they slipped to 71 for four. Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) and Harshit Rana (52) showed resilience with fighting half-centuries, but the early collapse left too much to do in the later stages of the innings.

Speaking after the match, Gill said the team was disappointed with the overall performance, especially after coming into the final game with the series tied at 1-1. He stressed the need for reflection and improvement going forward.

Gill highlighted Kohli’s form as a major positive, saying his batting continues to be a big advantage for the team. He also praised Harshit Rana for his contributions with the bat lower down the order, noting that performing at number eight is never easy. Gill added that the fast bowlers also showed encouraging signs throughout the series.

On Nitish Kumar Reddy, Gill explained that the team management is looking at the long-term picture with the World Cup in mind. He said the youngster is being given opportunities to bowl overs and gain experience so the team can assess the right combinations and understand what works best for him.

Gill’s remarks came after assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate had said following the second ODI loss that Nitish was not “doing a heck of a lot” in the limited game time he was getting.

New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell was named Player of the Series after scoring 84, 131 not out, and 137. The experienced batter said staying focused in the present helped him perform consistently. He described winning a series in India as special and credited the team’s partnership-building for their success.

New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell called the series win historic, as it marked the country’s first ODI series victory in India since 1988. He said the team stuck to its strengths and worked together as a unit despite missing several frontline players.

Bracewell praised Mitchell for his consistency over the years and said it was rewarding to see him get recognition for his performances. He also highlighted the experience gained by debutants during the series and said it reflected the growing depth of New Zealand cricket.

Debutant Jayden Lennox, who played an important role in New Zealand’s comeback wins in the final two matches, said the series victory showcased the talent available back home. He explained that for left-arm spinners in limited-overs cricket, unpredictability and execution are key.

Lennox added that while the atmosphere in India was intense, it felt special to be part of a series-winning side, and the result underlined New Zealand’s ability to perform in big moments on major stages.

#Global News