Former opening batsman Aakash Chopra has issued a warning to the Indian team following the end of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Despite playing a full-strength lineup, the hosts lost the series to the visitors.
India suffered a crushing defeat over the Kiwis in the series’ third and final match at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, losing 2-1 despite winning the first match. Chasing a target of 338, the Men in Blue fell 41 runs short, resulting in their first ODI loss at the site.
Reflecting on the series loss, Aakash Chopra stated that the home series defeat will and must hurt,
Stating that the New Zealand team was not even at full strength, with many of their ODI regulars missing the tour, whereas the hosts had entered with their best combination, including seniors and promising youngsters.
“This loss is going to hurt and it must as well because New Zealand have done the double. They first came and defeated us in the Test series. Here they came with eight players who were touring India for the first time. Two were debutants – Kristian Clarke and Jayden Lennox. They would have won 3-0 had Harshit Rana not scored 29 runs and KL Rahul not won us the first game. Wake up and smell the coffee,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
The renowned cricketer-turned-commentator further candidly admitted that many people, including him, had taken the visitors lightly before the series, and no one expected them to win.
“This is not okay. You look for excuses for losses at times, maybe this and maybe that, but not like this, not against this team because it wasn’t even a full team. No opposing team should be taken lightly and I will put my hand up and say that I did that, or else I should say I had assumed my team was very good,” he added.
First-ever ODI series win for New Zealand in India
After losing the first ODI, the visitors came back strongly and won the next two games, eventually clinching the three-match series 2-1. Daryl Mitchell had a memorable series with the bat, scoring a staggering 352 runs at an average of 176. He was named the Player of the Series. This also became a historical event for New Zealand, as they clinched their maiden ODI series win against India in India.
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