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Savior will be an understatement for Daryl Mitchell last night, because dragging New Zealand to 338 from 5/2 is beastly. A 200+ run partnership with the centurion Glenn Phillips at Indore was the key highlight of last night. The former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar lashes out in air following the defeat.

Even though Gavaskar praised them taking their names, but restrained from criticizing anyone particularly. Following the match, he had his routine post-match conversation on the set with Simon Doull, where he said,

"I don’t want to take names, but certain individuals allowed single to be taken very easily. Yes, Rohit Sharma was quick, and Virat Kohli, we all know what an athlete he is on the field, but I just felt the fielding could have been a lot more proactive.”

His comments came after India went wicketless for 31 overs following the dismissal of Will Young, allowing Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips to add 219 runs for the fourth wicket. That stand shifted control firmly away from India and defined the contest.

Read also: Virat Kohli surpasses Ricky Ponting in unique feat despite defeat in final ODI against New Zealand

India had made early inroads through Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, removing Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls cheaply. Another breakthrough soon followed, but the momentum stalled thereafter.

Mitchell and Phillips capitalised, ran hard between the wickets, and kept the scoreboard moving. India’s chase rested heavily on Kohli, who struck his 54th ODI century, but a lack of support ensured the target remained out of reach. India were bowled out for 296, losing by 41 runs.

The defeat sealed New Zealand’s historic series win on Indian soil and extended India’s recent struggles against the BlackCaps across formats. India lost the three-match series 2-1, marking their first-ever home ODI series defeat to New Zealand. Two years back, the Kiwis won their first ever Test series in India.

This was not the first time Gavaskar expressed surprise during the series. After the second ODI in Rajkot, he questioned how New Zealand chased down 285 with ease on a slow surface.

"I was surprised by how easily New Zealand got across the line because, before they started batting, everyone thought India would be able to make use of the slowness of the pitch. With their bowlers, not just the spinners, but all of them, using the slowness of the surface well, it felt like India would be able to restrict New Zealand to around 260 or 270. I thought that would have been an easy win for India."

Gavaskar further credited New Zealand as deserving, especially the decisive partnership between Will Young and Daryl Mitchell, which took the game away, while praising Mitchell’s fitness, running between the wickets and commitment even after reaching his hundred.