Rahane Calls for Stability After India's Historic ODI Defeat
India faced a shocking setback on home soil. The team lost their first-ever ODI series to New Zealand in India. This defeat came in the third match at Indore's Holkar Cricket Stadium on January 18, 2026.
A Tough Loss Despite Kohli's Heroics
India failed to chase a target of 338 runs. They fell short by 41 runs. Virat Kohli played a magnificent innings, scoring 124 runs. Youngster Harshit Rana also impressed with his maiden ODI half-century. Yet, their efforts proved insufficient against a determined New Zealand side.
Former India batsman Ajinkya Rahane analyzed the loss. He pointed to frequent changes in the ODI lineup as a major issue. "There will be tough questions," Rahane stated bluntly. "India lost 5 ODIs in the last 9. The reason is too many changes."
Rahane's Advice for World Cup Preparation
Rahane emphasized the need for clarity and security for players. With the ODI World Cup approaching, he urged coach Gautam Gambhir and the management to settle on a stable combination. "Players need that security, they need that clarity from the management," he explained.
The cricketer-turned-analyst expressed surprise at the series outcome. He noted that New Zealand fielded what many considered an A or B team. "Expectations were there. We all thought India would win easily, probably 3-0," Rahane admitted. "But the way New Zealand played has been amazing."
The Need to 'Follow the Process'
Rahane advised the team to focus on their process despite the criticism. "There will be tough questions but I feel from an Indian team's point of view, they just need to follow the process," he said. He highlighted the importance of identifying and backing the right players for the long term.
"Just see which are the players you are going to back because 6 months down the line you are going to play ODI cricket again," Rahane suggested. He reminded everyone that after the upcoming T20Is against New Zealand and the IPL, India will return to ODI cricket. This period should be used to find the perfect combinations.
New Zealand's Dominant Batting Display
The Indian bowling attack struggled during the middle overs. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips both scored centuries, building a massive partnership. This came after a promising start where Indian bowlers dismissed New Zealand openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls within the first two overs.
The series loss raises important questions about India's ODI strategy. Rahane's comments highlight the tension between experimentation and stability. As the World Cup draws nearer, the team management faces crucial decisions about player selection and team composition.
Fans and experts alike will watch closely to see how India responds to this historic defeat. The pressure is on to rebuild confidence and form a cohesive unit capable of challenging for global honors.
