Gill takes blame with Rohit after India lose ODI series to New Zealand: 'Two of them at the top...'

India captain Shubman Gill blamed himself and his opening partner Rohit Sharma as New Zealand won their first-ever ODI series in India on Sunday by beating the hosts by 41 runs in the decider at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. Chasing a mammoth 338 in the third and final ODI after Daryl Mitchell made another century (137 runs off 131 balls) and Glenn Phillips also chipped in with 106, the Indian openers failed to give India a desired start, scoring just 34 runs among themselves.

While Gill scored 23, Rohit departed first after making just 11. Virat Kohli made a fighting 124, but a lack of support from other batters ruined India’s hopes. Rohit has struggled for runs lately, scoring just 61 runs in three matches vs New Zealand, while Gill has failed to convert starts, making two fifties in the first two matches.

More from First Cricket

Pakistan could reconsider T20 World Cup participation in support of Bangladesh amid ICC-BCB standoff: Report 'Remove clueless Gambhir': India coach targetted again as India lose first ODI series ever to New Zealand at home

Gill blames himself, Rohit after NZ series loss

Captain Gill said that the batters need to take the blame for India’s series defeat, especially the openers, as they have failed to convert the starts.

“All of us, all the batsmen. I don’t think we have been able to convert starts. There are high-scoring matches in India and if the batsmen, especially two of them at the top, are not able to convert starts, then we won’t be able to post the big scores,” Gill said in the post-match press conference.

Despite a lack of wickets in the middle overs being an issue, Gill refused to blame Kuldeep Yadav, who took just three wickets in three matches.

Quick Reads

View All

'Won't require surgery...': Real reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's absence from 5th Test revealed in new report

PCB bans players from WCL over India-Pakistan match controversy

“Sometimes, it happens. Kuldeep (Yadav), the way he has been bowling in the last couple of years: he has always been a strike bowler for us. It’s unfortunate that he was not able to take as many wickets this time. These are the reasons these kind of series’ help us grow,” Gill added.

India were also shortchanged by the lack of dew in Indore, but Gill felt the decision to bowl first was not a wrong one, but the team was let down by the fielding.

“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 to create chances on wickets like this. It’s an aspect I think we really have to get better at,” Gill said.

“These were the big differences between the two teams: their batsmen converted their starts. And New Zealand were better in the field, they must have saved at least 15-20 runs today. These make a big difference,” he added.