Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin believes that the team's response to the challenge looked a “bit flat” after the Shubman Gill-led side's first-ever ODI series loss to New Zealand at home. The legendary all-rounder went on to suggest that, based on how the matches played out, the series could have easily ended in a 5–0 result in New Zealand’s favour.
New Zealand defeated India despite missing several regular players
The series turned into a memorable one for a Michael Bracewell-led New Zealand side, especially since they were missing several regular players. Despite that the BlackCaps showed great determination with Daryl Mitchell, Jayden Lennox, Glenn Phillips and Kristian Clarke stepping up at crucial moments. After losing the series opener clash, New Zealand bounced back strongly to win the next two matches and clinch the series.
Ashwin on India's defeat
The result was historic, as it marked New Zealand’s first ODI series win on Indian soil since 1988. It also came just over a year after their 3–0 Test series win in India in 2024, which had ended India’s 12-year unbeaten run at home in Test cricket.
Speaking during 'Ash ki Baat', Ashwin said, "Everything will be forgotten now. There is the T20 World Cup and the IPL now. So, if the environment is there, things will go accordingly. We all know this. But if the T20 World Cup does not go well and people do not perform in the IPL too, there will be pressure on them. But if everything goes well, this series will be forgotten. In my books, New Zealand won the series 5-0. They won two but threatened to win one more too, so it was actually a sweep."
Ashwin on India's prepration
Ashwin said he did not know whether India was ready or not, or whether there was a lack of preparation, but he reckons that the response by Team India was flat.
"I thought if India even plays their B or C teams, they can beat sides. I am a little worried now that this has nothing to do with the team's quality. Looking from the outside, I think the Indian team's response has been a bit flat. That response is not there. Always, when the team has been put under pressure, the Indian team has found ways in the past and has shown that habit. I just felt that the response felt flat, and that was disappointing. I do not think we put them under pressure. We played very soft cricket," he concluded.
New Zealand's performance in 3rd ODI
In the third and final ODI, New Zealand put up a strong total of 337 for 8. India were soon in trouble at 71 for 4, but Virat Kohli’s fighting 124, along with useful contributions from Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) and Harshit Rana (52), briefly kept hopes alive. However, New Zealand struck at key moments to seal a 41-run win and take the series 2–1.