Former India player Ajinkya Rahane said that making too many changes in the ODI setup might have cost India their series against New Zealand, adding that as the ODI World Cup nears, Gautam Gambhir and Co should use the remaining ODIs they have to zero in on a stable combination without too many tweaks. India suffered their first-ever ODI series loss to New Zealand on home soil after they failed to chase 338, falling short of 41 runs despite Virat Kohli’s valiant 124 runs and Harshit Rana’s maiden ODI half century. “There will be tough questions. India lost 5 ODIs in the last 9. Reason is because there are too many changes. That’s why I said, you are looking at the World Cup where players need that security, they need that clarity from the management. If you are going to play those certain players in that format, it’s always about clarity. There will be tough questions which is very natural I feel. Especially from the fans. Indian cricket is so connected. Everyone wants Indian cricket to do well, India to win match, India to win series. Especially in India. Playing against New Zealand which was New Zealand’s A or B team. Due respect to all the players but expectations were there. We all thought India would win easily, probably 3-0. But the way New Zealand played has been amazing,” Rahane said on Cricbuzz. Also Read | IND vs NZ: Now it is about India pleading Virat Kohli to stay on for 2027 World Cup “There will be tough questions but I feel from an Indian team’s point of view, they just need to follow the process. Just see which are the players you are going to back because 6 months’ down the line you are going to play ODI cricket again. You have time. After (NZ) T20Is, there’s nothing at all. Probably after IPL, you are going to play ODIs. So it’s always about finding your right players and right combinations and just back them,” he added. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips both hit centuries as the Indian bowling line up looked hapless during the middle overs even after a good start when they sent both Kiwi openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls in the first 2 overs.
IND vs NZ | ‘There will be tough questions’: Ajinkya Rahane urges India’s ODI team to ‘follow the process’ after series loss to New Zealand
