Gill admits India were second-best after New Zealand clinched a historic ODI series win in India, ending a 37-year wait with superior bowling, batting, and fielding.
Gill admits India were second-best as New Zealand end 37-year wait
Gill admits India were second-best after New Zealand outplayed the hosts in all three departments to seal a historic ODI series win in India, ending a 37-year drought. Despite both teams missing key players, India captain Shubman Gill refused to use injuries as an excuse and acknowledged New Zealand’s overall dominance.
New Zealand recorded their first-ever ODI series win in India, achieving the milestone on Sunday night in Indore. The result came 16 months after their Test side whitewashed India 3-0 in 2024, underlining their growing dominance across formats.
Gill admits India were second-best despite missing stars
India entered the series without Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, while New Zealand were also missing several frontline players. However, Gill made it clear that the absences did not define the outcome.
“We were a good enough side to beat them in the series, but they outplayed us – whether in bowling, batting or fielding,” Gill said after the match.
With the series level at 1-1 going into the decider, India were expected to correct their issues in the middle overs. Instead, those problems intensified.
Middle-overs bowling exposes India’s weakness
A key reason Gill admits India were second-best was the team’s inability to control the middle overs. In the final ODI, India conceded 191 runs for just one wicket between overs 11 and 40.
Across the entire series, India’s middle-overs bowling numbers were concerning:
- Overs: 90
- Wickets: 8
- Average: 68.37
- Strike Rate: 67.5
Such figures highlighted India’s struggle to apply pressure once the PowerPlay ended.
Spinners fail to make an impact
India’s spin duo came under scrutiny as Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav failed to deliver consistent breakthroughs.
- Ravindra Jadeja: 0 wickets in the series
- Kuldeep Yadav: 3 wickets in 3 matches, average above 60
Gill defended Kuldeep, calling him a long-term strike bowler, while admitting the series served as a learning experience.
“These are the reasons these kinds of series help us grow,” Gill said.
Jadeja’s form remains a concern, having taken just one wicket in his last five ODIs and failing to score an ODI half-century since 2020.
Fielding standards separate the two teams
Another reason Gill admits India were second-best was poor fielding. India dropped catches in every match, something that directly impacted the bowlers’ confidence.
“Our fielding in this series was not up to the mark. New Zealand probably saved 15–20 runs today. These things make a big difference,” Gill admitted.
In contrast, New Zealand were sharper in the field and made better use of their opportunities, while their batters consistently converted starts into meaningful scores.
New Zealand’s all-round superiority seals historic series
New Zealand’s disciplined bowling, efficient batting, and superior fielding proved decisive. Their ability to dominate crucial phases of the game allowed them to end a 37-year wait for an ODI series win in India, a landmark moment in their white-ball history.
Brief Series Summary
- Series Result: New Zealand won the ODI series
- Historic Feat: First ODI series win in India
- Captain’s Verdict: Gill admits India were second-best
