India batting line-up struggles in New Zealand ODI series
No Indian batter managed a series haul of 100 runs during the five-match ODI tour, according to the Times of India.
The Indian batting line-up struggled significantly during the five-match ODI series in New Zealand, according to the Times of India. The team faced difficulties with shot selection and staying at the crease in testing conditions at venues such as Bay Oval.
For the first time since 1985, no Indian batter recorded a series haul of 100 runs in a five-match ODI series. Virat Kohli topped the scoring with 86 runs, 74 of which were scored in the series opener in Auckland. This was the only fifty-plus score by an Indian batter during the four ODIs played.
Other players including Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, and Shubman Gill also struggled to score heavily. In the final match at Bay Oval, India scored 209 in 42.1 overs, with Axar Patel and Ishan Kishan both scoring 46. India beat New Zealand, who were bowled out for 187 in 48.1 overs, by 22 runs.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed concern regarding the team being bundled out quickly. Speaking after the fourth ODI, Gambhir said he was concerned because the conditions were similar to what might be expected during the World Cup.
Gambhir noted that in the previous game, the team was seven wickets down for 111-112 and was bowled out in approximately 26 or 27 overs. He stated that the bigger concern was how quickly the team was bundled out rather than the total runs scored.