The India vs New Zealand ODI series did not go as planned for the Indian team, as they lost the series 2-1 after the New Zealand team made a comeback after losing the first ODI. It was clear that the fans were not happy, and their disappointment was clear as the number now last lost an ODI series against New Zealand and also the test series in 2024 under Gautam Gambhir.
This was the first time that New Zealand won an ODI series in India after failing more than five times playing against the Indian team in India. Just to remind you that this was not the main team that travelled to India to play the ODI series. There were eight players who came as debutants who faced the Indian star-studded line-up. India also rested players like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, but still, a loss isn’t acceptable against this New Zealand team.
India vs New Zealand: Did fans chant ‘Gautam Gambhir Haaye Haaye’? Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and other players react
It was very much visible that the chants had been made by the Indian fans against the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, after India were beaten in the India vs New Zealand third ODI at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. After India won the first ODI, it seemed very clear that it would be easy for India to win the series as they were in the driver’s seat. Now, there is a lot of pressure on the head coach, and if things don’t go as planned, tough decisions can be made after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which starts on 7th February.
When we look at the performances of Indian players in this series, then surely there is nothing much done from the players apart from Virat Kohli. Basically, Virat Kohli scored two centuries. There is some good news regarding the form of the Indian captain, as well as Shubman Gill, who scored two fifties in the first two ODIs. Harshit Rana also had some big hits in the final overs of the last ODI, but couldn’t help his team go above the line.
Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ravindra Jadeja, and even batting coach Sitanshu Kotak could clearly hear the chants of ‘Gautam Gambhir Haaye Haaye’ and did not look impressed. The fans on social media also had their feeling clearly visible as the anger was all seen. Now, the team focuses on the New Zealand T20I series followed by the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.