Shubman Gill Commented On The ODI Series Defeat: Indian captain Shubman Gill, after losing the ODI series to New Zealand on Sunday, January 18, 2026, said that Virat Kohli’s excellent form and Harshit Rana’s all-round performance are positive aspects. But the Indian team needs improvement in many areas. Virat Kohli scored his record 54th ODI century, but India, chasing the target of 338 runs, was all out for 296 runs in 46 overs and lost by 41 runs. Despite half-centuries from Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) and Harshit Rana (52), the host team fell far short of the target.

Shubman Gill gave statement on defeat in ODI series

Shubman Gill said at the awards ceremony, ‘After the first match and coming here at 1-1, we are disappointed with the way we played.’ He said, ‘There are some areas which we have to look at, think about and do better. The way Virat is batting is always a positive aspect. The way Harshit has batted in this series is fantastic. Batting at number eight is not easy. The way he performed from the front and the way the fast bowlers bowled in this series was also good. Gill said, ‘Keeping the World Cup in mind, we want to give him (Nitish Kumar Reddy) opportunities and we want to give him enough overs and see what kind of combinations work for us and what kind of bowling works for him.’

Daryl Mitchell said on being selected ‘Player of the Series’

Daryl Mitchell, who was chosen ‘Player of the Series’ after playing innings of 84, 131 not out and 137 runs in the ODI series, said that living in the present was good for him. He said, ‘It is good to contribute to the team. It is special to register a victory here in India. The way we built partnerships as a group is good. He further said, ‘I am trying to live in the present and hopefully take the right decisions. I love playing for my country. Domestic cricket helped me for so many years. This 34-year-old player was also a part of the New Zealand team that defeated India 3-0 in the Test series in 2024-25.

Bracewell reacted to the victory in the ODI series

The New Zealand team was missing some key players and the team won its first series in India since 1988 under the captaincy of Michael Bracewell. Bracewell said, ‘For the first time a New Zealand team has won an ODI series here, it is special. You always expect to come here and play good cricket. As a group, we did what we do best.

Harshit Rana Scored First Half-Century Against New Zealand: The last match of the 3-match ODI series between India and New Zealand was played on Sunday i.e. January 18, 2026 at Holkar Stadium, Indore. Even though Team India lost this decisive match, Harshit Rana showed his stormy batting. Coming at number-8 for India, Harshit scored his first half-century in international cricket by hitting a series of fours and sixes. Harshit came to the crease at a time when there was a need for a good partnership with Virat Kohli while holding one end of the Indian team. Harshit not only supported him, but also stunned the Kiwi bowlers by scoring a stormy half-century with fours and sixes. When Harshit scored a half-century, the reaction of head coach Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma sitting in the dug out was worth seeing.

Harshit Rana played a brilliant innings

India, which was chasing the target of 338 runs given by New Zealand, got the sixth blow in the form of Ravindra Jadeja on the score of 178 runs. After this it seemed that the Indian innings would soon end, because only Virat Kohli was standing at one end as a batsman, but Harshit Rana surprised everyone with his batting. After playing cautiously in the beginning, Harshit opened his hands and hit a flurry of fours and sixes off the Kiwi bowlers. He completed his first half-century of ODI and international career by hitting two consecutive sixes at the beginning of the 44th over. After which Harshit was caught out by Henry Nicholls by Zachary Fox. Harshit’s innings ended on 52 runs in 43 balls. In which he hit four fours and as many sixes.

41 BALLS FIFTY FOR HARSHIT RANA

– What a fifty by Harshit Rana, he scored a majestic fifty Vs New Zealand in decider. pic.twitter.com/2qY2SZkwaV

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) January 18, 2026

Gautam Gambhir was signaling Harshit Rana to remain focused after his half century, but bro was not ready for a surprise full toss pic.twitter.com/1KtPYxBHfG

— Staunch INDIA Supporter (@KKRWeRule) January 18, 2026

Fifty for Harshit Rana.

Rohit Sharma’s reaction on Harshit Rana’s six. pic.twitter.com/82D1eIMfrN

— The sports (@the_sports_x) January 18, 2026

Rohit-Gambhir’s reaction went viral

When Harshit Rana scored a half-century in 41 balls, the reaction of Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir was worth seeing. After which the photo of the reaction is going viral on social media. Gautam Gambhir asked Harshit to focus on batting instead of celebrating his half-century. At the same time, Rohit Sharma was seen laughing at the long six hit by him.

Shreyas Iyer, who is returning from injury, is playing his first ODI against New Zealand. In this match being played in Vadodara, excellent fielding of the vice-captain was seen, which everyone was surprised to see. He dismissed Michael Bracewell with a direct throw at the wicket from a long distance. Its video is also going viral.

India vs New Zealand 1st ODI is being played at BCA Stadium in Vadodara. Shubman Gill won the toss and decided to bowl first. Devon Conway (56) and Henry Nicholls (62) made a partnership of 117 runs for the first wicket, but the Indian bowlers made a good comeback by taking consecutive wickets in the middle order. Then Daryl Mitchell took over the innings, he scored 84 runs. New Zealand’s innings ended at 300, although if Shreyas Iyer had not dismissed Michael Bracewell with a direct throw, the visiting team could have scored at least 20 to 30 more runs.

Shreyas Iyer’s rocket throw

New Zealand’s score was 237 runs for 5 wickets. Harshit Rana came to bowl the 43rd over, on the last ball of this over, Daryl Mitchell played lightly and ran for a run. Shreyas Iyer, standing at long-on, came running towards the ball, then Mitchell ran for the second run. Iyer quickly picked up the ball and threw it straight on the wicket. The ball hit the stump straight on non-strike and Michael Bracewell had to return to the pavilion.

Commitment level: @ShreyasIyer15

Back from injury and giving his every single moment on the field!#INDvNZ1st ODI LIVE NOW https://t.co/WbMZTXL0By pic.twitter.com/oyFowZB4qH

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 11, 2026

Shreyas Iyer is known for his excellent fielding. Let us tell you that even during the Australia tour, he got injured while fielding, then he took an amazing catch by running backwards. During this, he got injured while falling on the ground.

Virat Kohli created a new record as soon as he took the field against New Zealand in Vadodara. He has now joined the top-5 list of players who have played the most number of ODI International matches for India. India vs New Zealand 1st ODI is being played at BCA Stadium in Vadodara.

Virat Kohli has played 309 ODI international matches for Team India. He has left behind former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly in this matter. Ganguly played 308 ODI matches for India. Kohli can also leave behind Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Azharuddin in the coming days. Azharuddin has played 334 ODI matches and Dravid has played 340 ODI matches.

Sachin Tendulkar at number one

The player who has played the most ODI international matches for India is Sachin Tendulkar, who played 463 matches. This is also a world record, he is the player who has played the most ODIs in the world. MS Dhoni is second among those who have played the most ODIs for India, under whose captaincy India won the 2011 ODI World Cup. Dhoni has played 347 ODI international matches.

Most ODI matches for India

• Sachin Tendulkar- 463
• MS Dhoni- 347
• Rahul Dravid- 340
• Mohammad Azharuddin- 334
• Virat Kohli- 309*
• Sourav Ganguly- 308

This record is on the target of Virat Kohli

India has got a target of 301 runs to win in the first ODI being played in Vadodara. Batting first, New Zealand scored 300 runs. Even with the bat, Virat Kohli can make many records in this match. If he scores 42 runs, he will leave Kumar Sangakkara behind in terms of scoring the most runs in international cricket.

Currently Kumar Sangakkara has 28016 runs. Virat Kohli has scored 27975 runs in 556 matches, he is just 41 runs behind Sangakkara. Sangakkara is the second batsman in the world to score the most runs in international cricket. Sachin is at number one with 34357 runs. If he scores 94 runs, he will become the batsman who has scored the most runs in ODI against New Zealand, currently this record is in the name of Sachin.

Aditya Ashok has come to India for the first time with the New Zealand national team, he can play in the first ODI to be held in Vadodara. Aditya was born in Tamil Nadu, who made his international debut for New Zealand in 2023. Let us tell you that before this series, Aditya had practiced in the training camp with Chennai Super Kings.

Aditya Ashok is a spin bowler, who is being considered as the successor of Ish Sodhi. He is also excited to bowl in front of greats like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Spinners get help on Indian pitches, so Aditya can be played in all three matches.

When did India-born Aditya Ashok go to New Zealand?

Aditya Ashok was born on September 5, 2002 in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. His family shifted to New Zealand in 2006, when he was 4 years old. He studied at Mount Albert Grammar School in Auckland.

Aditya started learning cricket in New Zealand, he joined the academy at a young age. He improved himself as a spin bowler. Right now googly is his strength. It is reported that Aditya’s relatives will be present in the stadium in the first ODI to be held in Vadodara.

U19 World Cup was played in 2020

Aditya Ashok was part of the New Zealand team in the Under-19 World Cup 2020. He took 4 wickets in 4 innings in that World Cup. This was the same season when Ravi Bishnoi became the highest wicket taker by taking 17 wickets in 6 innings. After 3 years, he got a place in the New Zealand national team.

Made international debut in 2023

Aditya made his international debut on August 20, 2023, it was a T20 format match played against UAE in Dubai. After that he did not play another T20 International. He made his ODI debut in December 2023. He has 1 wicket in his name in 2 ODI matches. Even in the only T20 International match, he took only 1 wicket.

Talking about statistics, Aditya Ashok has taken 78 wickets in 23 first class matches. He has 52 wickets in his name in 39 List A matches. Aditya has taken 31 wickets in 32 T20s. His economy in T20 is 7.62.

Trained in Chennai Super Kings

Aditya Ashok has come to India many times, but has come to India for the first time with the national team. But last year was also special for him, he got a chance to train in the academy of Chennai Super Kings. During this time, he got to learn about different pitches, which will definitely be useful to him in this series.

Indian squad

Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Shubhman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

new zealand squad

Henry Nicholls, Nick Kelly, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Josh Clarkson, Chris Clark, Michael Bracewell (captain), Zachary Foulkes, Devon Conway, Mitchell Hay (wk), Aditya Ashok, Jayden Lennox, Kyle Jamieson, Michael Rae.

Wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant got injured during practice, after which he had to return from the ground. The first match of India vs New Zealand ODI series will be played on Sunday, January 11 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. The news regarding Pant has increased the concern of the fans.

Rishabh Pant played his last ODI in August 2024. He has been struggling with injuries for quite some time, he was injured in England also. He is included in the ODI team against New Zealand as the second wicketkeeper along with KL Rahul. There is a possibility that KL Rahul will be played as wicketkeeper in the first ODI.

Rishabh Pant got injured

According to reports, Rishabh Pant got injured while playing in front of throw down specialists in the nets, a ball hit him just above his waist. After this he walked out of the field. However, before this he had practiced batting for 50 minutes. He looked to be in good shape. However, no official statement has come yet on Pant’s injury.

India vs New Zealand 1st ODI will be played on Sunday, January 11 at BCA Stadium, Vadodara. KL Rahul can be included here as a wicketkeeper batsman, who captained the ODI series against South Africa in the absence of Shubman Gill.

Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma ready for the #INDvNZ ODI’s#TeamIndia , @IDFCFIRSTBank , @imVkohli , @ImRo45 pic.twitter.com/8xWIo7CtBm

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 10, 2026

Indian squad

Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

Where to watch live telecast of the match

India vs New Zealand 1st ODI will start at 1:30 pm. The match will be broadcast live on the channels of Star Sports Network. There will be live streaming on JioHotstar app and website.

Virat Kohli can break a big record of Sachin Tendulkar in the first ODI against New Zealand on January 11. India vs New Zealand 1st ODI will be played on 11 January in Vadodara. This day is also special for Kohli because it is also his daughter’s birthday.

Virat Kohli’s bat played well in the last series, his excellent form continued in the Vijay Hazare Trophy also. It is expected that the same form will continue in the 3 ODI series against New Zealand. Kohli had scored 2 centuries in the 3-match series against South Africa, in the other he had played half-centuries. Now if he scores 94 runs in the first ODI against New Zealand, he will break a big record of Sachin Tendulkar.

Most runs against New Zealand

The Indian who has scored the most runs against New Zealand in ODI cricket is currently Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin played 42 ODIs against this team between 1990 and 2009, in which he scored 1750 runs. This includes 5 centuries and 8 half-centuries.

Kohli has so far scored 1657 runs in 33 matches against New Zealand, which includes 6 centuries and 9 half-centuries. To become the Indian who has scored the most ODI runs against New Zealand, Kohli has to score 94 more runs. Looking at the form Kohli is in and his performance against this team, there is a possibility that this record of Sachin will be broken in the very first match.

When and where is the first ODI?

India vs New Zealand 1st ODI will be played on Sunday, January 11 at BCA Stadium (Kotambi, Vadodara). The match will start at 1:30 pm. The toss will take place at 1 pm.

Virat Kohli giving autographs to young fans. pic.twitter.com/H1WHzD9Mb6

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 9, 2026

Indian ODI squad

Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Shubhman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

new zealand squad

Henry Nicholls, Nick Kelly, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Josh Clarkson, Chris Clark, Michael Bracewell (c), Zachary Foulkes, Devon Conway, Mitchell Hay (wk), Aditya Ashok, Jayden Lennox, Kyle Jamieson, Michael Ray.