India’s ODI captain Shubman Gill is not happy with the fielding standards of the team after their 2-1 series defeat to New Zealand. Indian fielders dropped as many as three catches in the series decider at Holkar Stadium, Indore on January 18, allowing the visitors to score big. While Devon Conway was dismissed cheaply, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips went on to score their respective centuries. Gill feels that the fielders need to back up their bowlers in tough conditions where wickets don’t come easy.
"I honestly felt our fielding in this series was not up to the mark. We dropped some crucial catches, and it's not easy for bowlers on wickets like this to create chances. It's an aspect I think we really have to get better at. These were the big differences between the two teams,” Gill said in the post-match press conference.
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“Their batsmen converted starts. And New Zealand were better in the field, they must have saved at least 15-20 runs today. These make a big difference.”
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Gill wants more from batters
Virat Kohli struggled for support as India lost four wickets for 71 runs in the 13th over. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana scored half-centuries but in the end it was too much for Kohli to pull off alone. His 124-run knock went in vain as India were bowled out for 296 in 46 overs and lost the match by 41 runs. Gill wants his teammates to convert starts into big scores.
"For me, it wasn't that we didn't bat well. It was that we didn't bat long enough. When batsmen are getting starts and they're not able to convert those starts, especially in high-scoring matches, it becomes very difficult. At least two batters need to go on and play that long innings," said the 26-year-old.
Gill’s wait for 9th ODI century continues
In the decider, Gill was dismissed for an 18-ball 23 by Kyle Jamieson. In the previous two ODIs, he got to the 56-run mark and lost his wicket. It has been 10 innings since Gill's last ODI century. In February 2025, he scored two consecutive centuries, one against England in Ahmedabad, followed by a century against Bangladesh in ICC Champions Trophy 2025.