India vs New Zealand ODI series review : Kiwis clip Indian wings… yet again.

2024 Tests. 2026 ODI’s. The one common thread that ties these two New Zealand teams together is INTENT. After re writing history in the longest format two years ago, they added another bilateral trophy to their cabinet on Indian shores

After a narrow defeat in Vadodara, where they pushed the hosts to the brink, Daryll Mitchell decided that he needs to step up to the occasion. In Rajkot, he stitched a massive 200 plus run partnership with Will Young as the Kiwis romped home in convincing fashion. They were aided by some sloppy fielding by the Indians as he was dropped on 80 by Prasidh Krishna. The series was level, and history beckoned. 

In the final game, New Zealand were put into bat. 58/3. They were staring down the barrel as yet another series defeat beckoned. But Mitchell again, this time along with Glenn Phillips stitched a riveting 219 run partnership to help New Zealand post a massive score of 337. Even though Virat Kohli scored a terrific ton, Mitchell and co. wrapped up a historic first ODI series win on Indian soil. 

For the hosts’ it was an opportunity lost. They stuttered in Vadodara, but completely lost the plot thereafter as neither Rohit nor Iyer nor Rahul turned up in the deciding game. Captain Gill, who is already under pressure as the wheels have come up in the last two home seasons, did well in the first two games, got an absolute peach of a delivery by Kyle Jamieson just when he looked fluent. 

The bowling too looked toothless in both the games, and the absence of Bumrah and Hardik Pandya were evident. With Mohammad Shami being overlooked and Jadeja being overcooked, India need to fix their bowling as the countdown to the 2027 world cup has begun.  The biggest positive though has been the emergence of Harshit Rana. The tall lanky fast bowler has all but cemented his spot in the team with a good all round performance and Gautam Gambhir will be more than happy with the result. 

But the spotlight is well and truly on the Kiwis. With the main players being rested for the T20 series, this has been a performance for the ages. Micheal Bracewell and co. have made a statement and put a gaping hole in India’s home record… with panache….