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After India’s defeat to Recent Zealand within the second ODI, captain Shubman Gill cited the failure of his bowlers in picking wickets through the middle overs.
India did not close out the series in Rajkot. (AP Photo)
India captain Shubman Gill acknowledged that his team did not capitalize in the center overs, resulting in their seven-wicket defeat against Recent Zealand within the second ODI at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Wednesday. He emphasized the issue of controlling the sport without taking wickets during this important phase.
“We couldn’t pick up any wickets in the center overs. With five fielders in, in case you don’t keep taking wickets in the center overs, it becomes very difficult, even when we had added 15-20 more runs. And in case you don’t pick up wickets in the center overs, it’s very difficult to stop a goal,” Gill expressed through the post-match presentation.
India’s rating of 284/7 was anchored by KL Rahul’s impressive 112 not out off 92 balls, his eighth century within the format. Nonetheless, Recent Zealand successfully chased down the goal, driven by Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 131. Mitchell also formed a powerful 162-run partnership off 152 balls for the third wicket with Will Young, who scored 87.
Gill highlighted the importance of partnerships on such pitches, noting that it is important for set batsmen to construct significant scores. “On these sorts of wickets, as soon as you might have a partnership, the set batsman has to make it big since it’s difficult for the batsman coming in to attain freely.”
Despite India’s early efforts, Gill admitted that their bowling performance in the center overs was lacking. “In the long run, we did get an honest goal on the board, and we bowled exceptionally well in the primary 10 overs. We tried to squeeze them down and put them under pressure, but they batted very well in the center overs.”
Gill also identified that batting conditions improved as the sport progressed. “In the primary 10-15 overs, the ball was doing a bit bit. But after 20-25 overs, the wicket settled in a bit. I believe we might have been a bit braver and brought more probabilities while bowling in the center overs.”
Fielding errors contributed to India’s defeat, Gill added. “Even within the last match, we missed a few probabilities. Fielding is a side we’re at all times attempting to improve. When you don’t take your probabilities on this format, it at all times makes you lose.”
Recent Zealand captain Michael Bracewell commended his team for his or her complete performance, securing a series-levelling win. “It’s an entire performance from us, and I’m pleased with the team. We were very joyful on the halfway point. We bowled thoroughly. It was a typical Kiwi performance with the ball.
“We were prepared to chase anything. They bowled well, and the best way our players adapted and absorbed the pressure was excellent. Daryl and Young then took the sport away from India.”
Bracewell praised Mitchell’s technique to tackle an off-form Kuldeep Yadav. “The batters read the conditions very well. We pride ourselves on being adaptable and facing the sport head-on. Jayden Lennox bowled very well. It’s never easy to make your debut in India. He bowled the tough overs.”
With IANS Inputs
January 15, 2026, 11:50 IST
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