Team India has long enjoyed a reputation as a dominant force in white-ball cricket. However, the ongoing IND vs NZ ODI series has raised serious questions about India’s bowling strength. While the batters continue to deliver strong performances, the bowlers have struggled to control matches, especially during the middle overs.
For years, fans, analysts, and even head coach Gautam Gambhir have pointed out India’s struggles in red-ball cricket. Now, surprisingly, similar weaknesses have started to surface in ODIs as well. Despite posting competitive totals, the bowling unit has failed to defend them effectively.
The problem became clear in the second ODI at Rajkot. Team India posted a solid target of 285 runs, which should have been enough to win the match. However, the bowlers failed to apply pressure. As a result, New Zealand chased the target comfortably in 47.3 overs, losing just three wickets. The Indian bowling attack looked ordinary, while the Kiwi batters showed composure and intent.
Moreover, this was not an isolated incident. In the first ODI at Vadodara, New Zealand crossed the 300-run mark despite fielding a relatively inexperienced side. That performance exposed India’s seam bowling in particular. Although India won that match, many analysts believe New Zealand could have emerged victorious if not for key batting contributions.
In that game, Virat Kohli (93), Shubman Gill (56), and Shreyas Iyer (49) anchored the chase. Additionally, KL Rahul’s unbeaten 29 helped India cross the line. Still, the bowlers failed to dominate at any stage, which remains a major concern.
Interestingly, captain Shubman Gill echoed these concerns after the second ODI. He admitted that India lost control during the middle overs. The absence of senior bowlers has only worsened the situation. Mohammed Shami remains unavailable, while Jasprit Bumrah sits out due to workload management. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj’s inconsistency has hurt the team. After taking two wickets in the first ODI, he went wicketless in the second.
With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, these issues raise alarm bells. If India struggles to make an impact at home, questions arise about overseas performance. Fans have voiced their concerns loudly.
The third ODI in Indore on January 18 will decide the series winner. If Team India wants to seal the series, the bowlers must respond with discipline and sharper plans. Otherwise, history could repeat itself. Still, hope remains alive. If the bowling unit rebounds, victory can still belong to Team India.
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