Sunil Gavaskar goes berserk, blames "certain individuals" for India’s shameful ODI series loss vs NZ

Sunil Gavaskar stated that poor fielding was a key reason behind India’s series loss to New Zealand, without singling out any player by name. Gavaskar added that India allowed New Zealand batters to take singles too easily, showing a lack of proactive intent in the field, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Indian cricket is going through a tough phase. The Men in Blue lost an ODI series to New Zealand at home for the first time. India won the opening match, but New Zealand bounced back to win the next two games and clinch the series. Notably, the Kiwis fielded an inexperienced side for the recent series.

I Don't Want To Take Names - Sunil Gavaskar

Speaking during a discussion with Simon Doull, Sunil Gavaskar said Indian fielders were slow to react and allowed easy singles, which helped New Zealand keep the scoreboard moving. He added that the fielding effort could have been a lot more proactive.

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“I don’t want to take names, but certain individuals allowed single to be taken very easily. Yes, Rohit Sharma was quick, and Virat Kohli, we all know what an athlete he is on the field, but I just felt the fielding could have been a lot more proactive,” Sunil Gavaskar said during a discussion with Simon Doull.

India allowed the match to slip after reducing New Zealand to 5/2, as the visitors recovered to post a total of 338/7. The target proved too tough in the chase despite a century from Virat Kohli, which was his 54th in ODIs. India eventually lost by 41 runs at Holkar on Sunday, January 18.

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Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana removed Devon Conway for 5 and Henry Nicholls for a first-ball duck. After New Zealand added 53 runs, Harshit also dismissed Will Young to put India on top early.

However, India failed to take another wicket for 31 overs. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips then added a 219-run partnership for the fourth wicket. New Zealand went on to post 337/8, with Mitchell scoring 137 and Phillips adding 106.

In reply, India lost four wickets for 71 runs. Virat Kohli and Nitish Kumar Reddy steadied the chase with an 88-run stand before Reddy was dismissed for 53.

Kohli later shared a rapid 99-run partnership off 60 balls with Harshit Rana. Harshit scored 52 off 43 balls before getting out, while Kohli followed soon after for 124 off 108 balls. India were bowled out for 296 in 46 overs, losing their first home ODI series to New Zealand since 1988.

I Was Surprised By How Easily New Zealand... - Sunil Gavaskar

This was not the first time Sunil Gavaskar voiced his concerns over India’s defeat. After the second ODI in Rajkot, he expressed surprise at New Zealand chasing down a target of 285 with seven wickets in hand and 15 balls to spare. He said the conditions looked ideal to restrict New Zealand.

"I was surprised by how easily New Zealand got across the line because, before they started batting, everyone thought India would be able to make use of the slowness of the pitch," Gavaskar had said after the 2nd ODI.

"With their bowlers, not just the spinners, but all of them, using the slowness of the surface well, it felt like India would be able to restrict New Zealand to around 260 or 270. I thought that would have been an easy win for India," Sunil Gavaskar added.

Also read: "Chup kar, Bs*k": Arshdeep Singh caught abusing fan after disrespectful taunts in IND vs NZ 3rd ODI