India went on to record their first-ever ODI series defeat to New Zealand at home on Sunday. The visitors won the third and final match at Indore by 42 runs and clicnhed the assignment by 1-2. This was also the Men in Blue's first-ever ODI defeat at the Holkar stadium and it only made the win even more remarkable for the Black Caps.
The defeat saw multiple India stars come under intense scutiny and this includes Ravindra Jadeja. The veteran all-rounder was able to score just 43 runs and claimed no wickets in the three matches. He was one of the side's most underhwelming players during the assignment and his performances have come under the scanner.
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Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth was highly critical of Jadeja and remarked that the latter doesn't have the same enthusiasm that he used to have a few years prior. He also pointed out how Kuldeep Yadav was another Indian bowler, who massively underperformed in the series.
"Ravindra Jadeja was the silent killer in the 2023 World Cup. It is true that he doesn't seem to have the same enthusiasm he had during that tournament," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Srikkanth's statement on Virat
Srikkanth further went on to raise questions over India's dependency on Virat Kohli and said that he feels pity for the batter as the team is still heavily reliant on him. Notably, Virat played an incredible knock of 124 runs, but wasn't able to take the side over the finish line as the target of 338 proved to be too big for the hosts in the third ODI.
I feel pity for Virat Kohli. How many matches will he score in? If only Kohli has to score, how many matches can India win that way? "India are depending on one person to win matches. In all fairness, New Zealand are not a great bowling side. But look at how well Jayden Lennox bowled-10 overs, 42 runs and two crucial wickets. Foulkes was expensive but took wickets. Kyle Jamieson bowled a deadly delivery to dismiss Shubman Gill. Kristian Clarke is bowling well too. It's a third-string attack," he added.
India to face NZ in T20Is next
Meanwhile, with the ODI series now concluded, India and New Zealand will face-off in a five-match T20I assignment that will begin from January 21. The first match of the series will be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Maharashtra.