We all thought India would win 3-0 against this New Zealand B side at home: Ajinkya Rahane

Former Indian middle-order batter and analyst Ajinkya Rahane has slammed the Indian team management, headed by Gautam Gambhir, after India’s 1-2 ODI series loss to New Zealand at home on Sunday, January 18.

Speaking exclusively on Cricbuzz, Rahane called for clarity, security, and honest conversations as India suffered the ODI series losses to Sri Lanka, Australia, and New Zealand under Gautam Gambhir.

“See, there will be tough questions. India lost five ODIs in the last nine. And that’s the reason: too many changes. You are looking at the World Cup, where players actually need that security, that clarity from management. If you are going to play certain players in that format, it’s always about clarity,” Rahane told Cricbuzz.

“So yes, tough questions will be asked, which is very natural. Especially in India, playing against New Zealand, which was probably the New Zealand A or B team, due respect to all the players. But expectations were there that we all thought India would win easily, probably 3-0,” he added.

“They just need to follow the process. Just see which are the players you are going to back. You have time. After T20, there’s nothing at all. It’s always about finding your right thing, right players, right combination, and just back them,” he concluded.

In the third and final ODI, New Zealand was tasked to bat first after losing the toss. Daryl Mitchell (137) and Glenn Phillips (106) shone with exceptional centuries as they posted a daunting total of 337/8 in 50 overs.

In response, India scored only 296 runs in 46 overs before getting bundled out. Virat Kohli (124), Nitish Reddy (53), and Harshit Rana (52) were the top batters, but they failed to seal the deal for the hosts.

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