IND vs NZ 2nd ODI: Team India had to face a crushing defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the second ODI played at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. In this match held on January 14, India had scored 284 runs while batting first, but the Kiwi team achieved the target in just 47.3 overs and leveled the series at 1-1. This defeat was not just a bad day, but the weak performance of some Indian players increased India’s problems. If these players had fulfilled their responsibilities, the outcome of the match might have been different.

India’s biggest weakness in this match was its bowling in the middle overs. New Zealand’s batsmen scored runs without much pressure and took the match under their control. Especially Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten century became the biggest headache for India.

Kuldeep Yadav was the most expensive

There were a lot of expectations from Chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav in this match, but he completely failed. In the middle overs, where it was necessary to take wickets, Kuldeep was not even successful in stopping the runs. He gave away more than 80 runs in his 10 overs and took only one wicket. His expensive spell proved costly for India.

Prasidh Krishna’s mistake proved costly

The performance of fast bowler Prasidh Krishna was also disappointing. He not only gave runs, but also dropped the catch of Daryl Mitchell at an important moment. This catch later proved to be the turning point of the match. Mitchell took full advantage of this and scored a brilliant century.

Did not get all-round contribution from Jadeja

The team expects contributions from Ravindra Jadeja with both bat and ball, but in this match he lacked in both the departments. In batting, he could not play big innings and scored only 27. Even in bowling, Jadeja failed to take wickets.

Shreyas Iyer’s flop show

Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer’s bat also remained calm in this important match. He did play a few balls, but later returned to the pavilion after scoring only 8 runs. The team did not get to see the kind of innings that was required from him.

Siraj did not get success

Mohammad Siraj tried his best, but wickets did not come in his account. They could not succeed in creating pressure in the initial overs, of which the New Zealand batsmen took advantage.

Now what next?

Overall, India’s defeat was not due to any one player, but was the result of the collective poor performance of the team. Now the series will be decided in the third ODI, where Team India will have to learn from these mistakes and make a strong comeback.

The first ODI match is being played between India and New Zealand at the BCA Cricket Stadium in Vadodara. After batting first, New Zealand has set a target of 301 runs for India. At one time, the Kiwi team had scored 170 runs for 3 wickets in 33 overs, then it seemed that New Zealand would easily cross 320, but the Indian bowlers took wickets continuously in the last overs and restricted the Kiwis to 300. For New Zealand, Devon Conway scored 56 and Henry Nicholls scored 62 runs. Whereas Daryl Mitchell played an inning of 84 runs in 71 balls.

For India, Mohammad Siraj took two wickets for 40 runs in 8 overs. Whereas Harshit Rana took two wickets for 65 runs in 10 overs. Prasidh Krishna also took two wickets. Whereas Kuldeep Yadav got a success. The bad news for India is that Washington Sundar is injured. Now it remains to be seen whether he comes to bat or not. At present he is under the supervision of the medical team.

Century partnership of Henry Nicholls and Devon Conway

Henry Nicholls and Devon Conway made a century partnership for New Zealand. The first wicket of the Kiwi team fell at the score of 117 in the 22nd over. Nicholls was out after scoring 62 runs in 69 balls with the help of 8 fours. Whereas Conway played an innings of 56 runs in 67 balls. Six fours and one six came from his bat. After this Will Young was out after scoring only 12 runs.

Daryl Mitchell’s Garza Bat

After the century partnership, New Zealand lost 3 wickets within 29 runs, but Daryl Mitchell kept scoring runs continuously at one end. During this, Glenn Phillips returned to the pavilion after scoring 12 runs in 19 balls, Mitchell Hay 18 runs in 13 balls and captain Michael Bracewell returned after scoring 16 runs in 18 balls. Whereas Mitchell played an inning of 84 runs with the help of 5 fours and 3 sixes.

Debutant Christian Clarke also made good contributions with the bat. This all-rounder scored unbeaten 24 runs in 17 balls in his first match with the bat. 3 fours came off his bat. Along with him, Kyle Jamieson returned unbeaten on eight runs in eight balls.

Indian cricket team’s first series this year is against New Zealand, whose first match is on 11 January. BCCI has not yet announced the team for this 3-match ODI series. It is likely that the Indian team will be announced on Saturday, January 3. Before this, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has chosen his team.

India’s last ODI series was against South Africa, in which KL Rahul captained in the absence of Shubman Gill. India had won this series by 2-1. Virat Kohli had scored a century in 2 out of 3 matches and a half-century in one. Rohit Sharma and Kohli are in great form.

Aakash Chopra included Shubman Gill as captain in his team, although the surprising thing was that he also included Rituraj Gaikwad in his team. Actually, in the last series, Gaikwad was a part of the team due to Gill’s absence. The former cricketer chose Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul as the 2 wicketkeepers in his team while not Dhruv Jurel or Ishan Kishan. Let us tell you that Pant was a part of the team in the last ODI series, but he did not get a place in the playing 11.

What is Rishabh Pant’s mistake?

Aakash Chopra said, “I will keep Rishabh Pant at number-14, although there will be talk on why Pant was included, why not Ishan Kishan or Dhruv Jurel? You can keep anyone, but tell me what is Pant’s fault?”

‘Shreyas Iyer’s exit is certain’

Regarding the inclusion of Ruturaj Gaikwad in the team, Aakash Chopra said that Shreyas Iyer is almost certain to be out of the series as he has not got the clearance yet and hence, Gaikwad can continue to play at number 4 or 5.

Aakash Chopra said, “The update on Shreyas Iyer is that he will not be available for this series. So don’t be surprised if his name is not in the team, and if his name is not there, then Gaikwad will continue to play at number four. KL Rahul has been kept at number 5 as a wicketkeeper, batsman and probably the vice-captain in the team.”

Aakash Chopra also included Mohammed Siraj in his team, who last played against Australia in October. However, Chopra also did not give place to Mohammed Shami in his team.

Indian team selected by Aakash Chopra

Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KL Rahul, Axar Patel/Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Tilak Verma, Harshit Rana, Mohammad Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal.

The T20 World Cup 2026 match will be held between India and Sri Lanka in February, for which BCCI announced the team on Saturday. Ishan Kishan returned to the 15-member team under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, who last played T20 International in 2023. Vice-captain Shubhman Gill has been dropped because his form was going bad for some time. But if we talk about the dropped players, they too can form a playing 11 that can give competition to any team.

If the playing 11 is made of the players who were not selected in the team, then it will be such that you will also think that this team can defeat anyone. This also testifies that India’s future in cricket is bright. Let us choose the playing 11 of such players.

Gill captain, Yashasvi’s opening partner

Shubman Gill can be the captain of this team, who is also the vice-captain of the national team. However, due to poor form, he was left out of the T20 World Cup squad. Yashasvi Jaiswal can start the innings with Gill, who has the ability to hit big shots from the first ball.

Rishabh Pant wicket keeper, Jitesh also included

In the last few matches, an experiment was also done in the national team, both the wicketkeepers were played. One of them was Jitesh Sharma, who has been with the team for a long time but could not make his place at the last moment. In the playing 11 of the players not selected, KL Rahul can be included at number three, Jitesh Sharma at number four and Rishabh Pant can be included as wicket keeper at number five.

2 experienced fast bowlers in the form of Shami and Siraj

Talking about all-rounders, Shardul Thakur and Nitish Kumar Reddy can be included in this playing 11. Reddy, who made his debut in October last year, played his last T20 International in January 2025. Chahal and Ravi Bishnoi can be the two spinners, Chahal is a very experienced bowler but he is not able to make a comeback in the national team.

Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami are being included as two fast bowlers, who have a lot of experience. However, Harbhajan Singh said during live on JioHotstar that Siraj should be prepared, he can get a chance any time. His reference was to the replacement of a player if he gets injured, that if someone is out then BCCI can look at him as an alternative.

Playing 11 of players not selected

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal
2. Shubman Gill (Captain)
3. KL Rahul
4. Jitesh Sharma
5. Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)
6. Nitish Kumar Reddy
7. Shardul Thakur
8. Yuzvendra Chahal
9. Ravi Bishnoi
10. Mohammed Shami
11. Mohammad Siraj.

IND vs SA Test Series: The two-match Test series played between India and South Africa has become one of the most painful memories in the history of Indian cricket. This series was not just a defeat, but a defeat that shook the Indian fans. South Africa clean swept India 2-0. In the Guwahati Test, the Indian team lost by 408 runs, which is India’s biggest defeat in terms of runs in Test cricket.

Anger of fans erupted in Guwahati

After such a big defeat, the atmosphere in Guwahati ground became heated. In a video viral on social media, it was seen that the spectators were raising slogans of “Hi-Hi” against Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir from the stands. Team India’s players and coaching staff were also present in the field, which made the situation more uncomfortable.

Crowd shouting “Gautam Gambhir hay hay!”

Man this is peak embarrassment.

pic.twitter.com/FfrS6B8vzD

— Rohan (@rohann__45) November 26, 2025

Siraj won everyone’s heart

Meanwhile, fast bowler Mohammad Siraj took such a step which won everyone’s heart. Siraj looked towards the fans and put a finger on his mouth and signaled them to remain silent. His gesture clearly showed that he was standing with his head coach. The video is becoming increasingly viral on the internet and Siraj is being praised everywhere.

Questions are being raised on Gautam Gambhir’s tenure

Team India’s Test record has not been very strong since Gautam Gambhir became the head coach. So far, India has played 19 test matches under Gambhir’s coaching, out of which 7 won, 10 lost and 2 matches were drawn. After consecutive defeats, critics say that the team needs a new strategy and strong planning.

After the crushing defeat against South Africa, questions are being raised on Gambhir’s tenure. Especially getting a clean sweep on home soil was completely unacceptable for the Indian fans.

Now what next?

Team India will now play its next Test series against Sri Lanka in 2026. Before this the team management will have to recognize its shortcomings. Be it the collapse of batting, lack of edge in bowling or team combination.

On the morning of 24th November, suddenly news came that veteran actor Dharmendra had passed away at the age of 89. He was ill for a long time. Big personalities from the film world, business and sports world have also expressed grief over Dharmendra’s demise. Dharmendra, who won people’s hearts with hit films like Sholay, Sita Aur Geeta, Anupama and The Burning Train, was also a big cricket fan. He was a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar.

Called Sachin Tendulkar as son

This is from the year 2021, when Dharmendra shared a picture with veteran cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on social media platform X. Along with this picture, he wrote in the caption, “Today I suddenly met the country’s proud Sachin in the airplane. Whenever I met Sachin, I always met him as my beloved son. Long live Sachin, lots of love to you.”

Today I will suddenly meet Sachin, the pride of the country, in an air plane….Whenever Sachin meets me, I always feel like my beloved son….. Live long, love you Sachin. pic.twitter.com/pDpSD9Jnp3

— Dharmendra Deol (@aapkadharam) December 14, 2021

Sachin Tendulkar also replied

In response to this, Sachin Tendulkar shared the same picture on Instagram which Dharmendra had shared on X. Sachin wrote in the caption, “Today met the biggest Veeru, Dharmendra ji. It’s a different thing about Veerus (referring to Virender Sehwag and Dharmendra’s character in Sholay). Everyone is his fan. What does Veeru (Virender Sehwag) say?”

Mohammed Siraj was called a brave son

Mohammad Siraj’s father passed away in the month of November in the year 2020. At that time Siraj was on Australia tour and was given the option to return home, but Siraj did not do so. Siraj had taken a total of 13 wickets on that tour. When Siraj returned from Australia tour, he went straight from the airport to Khairatabad cemetery and paid respects to his father’s grave.

On this, Dharmendra shared a picture of Siraj on social media and wrote in the caption, “Siraj, brave son of India, proud of you. With the shock of your father’s death in your heart, you kept playing matches for the pride of the country and returned after registering a victory in the name of the country. Yesterday, I felt filled with joy after seeing you at your father’s grave. May he be blessed with heaven.”

Also read:

IND vs SA 2nd Test: 93 runs, 6 wickets…, Marco Jansen created history, became the third bowler in the world to do so in India.

In the Guwahati Test, South Africa has scored 489 runs in the first innings. Thanks to Senuran Muthuswamy’s century and Marco Jansen’s half-century, Africa was able to reach a huge score. Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Siraj gave away more than 100 runs in bowling for India. At one time even 400 runs seemed difficult for the South African team, but thanks to the strong innings of Muthuswamy and Jansen, they scored 489 runs.

Last 4 wickets made 243

The Indian team made a strong comeback in the third session on the first day and took 6 wickets of South Africa at the score of 246. But on the second day, Senuran Muthuswamai and Kyle Verein together made the Indian bowlers sweat with a partnership of 88 runs. Verein scored 45 runs, Muthuswamy then made a partnership of 97 runs with Marco Jansen. Within no time the South African team also crossed the score of 450. The last 4 wickets added 243 runs to the South African scoreboard.

Kuldeep-Siraj’s century

Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Siraj gave away more than 100 runs in bowling for India. Siraj took 2 wickets for 106 runs in 30 overs, on the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav took 4 wickets for 115 runs in 29.1 overs. Except Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar, no Indian bowler had an economy rate less than 3. For Team India, Kuldeep took 4 wickets, Bumrah, Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets each.

Jasprit Bumrah, who is usually in the news due to his workload management, bowled the most overs in the Indian innings. Bumrah bowled 32 overs, gave only 75 runs and also took 2 wickets. His 10 overs were maidens in this innings. Whereas Mohammad Siraj also took 2 wickets while bowling 30 overs. South Africa bowled 151.1 overs in this innings.

Also read:

Shubman Gill is sure to stay out of South Africa ODI series, Rishabh Pant is not alone in the race to become captain.

In the first innings of the Kolkata Test, the South African team was all out on the score of 159 runs. Jasprit Bumrah took 5 wickets for the Indian team. This is South Africa’s lowest score in the first innings at the Eden Gardens ground. Earlier, the lowest score of the South African team in the first innings at Eden Gardens was 222 runs. Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Siraj also took two wickets each for Team India.

Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickleton made an opening partnership of 57 runs, giving a steady start to South Africa. After that the fall of the wicket started. Markram was out after scoring 31 runs and Rickleton was out after scoring 23 runs. Captain Temba Bavuma walked out after scoring only 3 runs. Tony De Jorzi also got the start, but his innings ended at 24 runs in 55 balls.

Lowest score in Eden Gardens

This is the third lowest score made by a foreign team in the first innings at Eden Gardens. Here, the lowest score by a foreign team in the first innings is in the name of Bangladesh, which was all out for just 106 runs in the year 2019. The second lowest score is in the name of West Indies, which was limited to 153 runs in the year 2011. Now with a score of 159 runs, South Africa has come to third place in this list.

Jasprit Bumrah’s paw

Jasprit Bumrah bowled 14 overs in this innings, in which he took 5 wickets while giving only 27 runs. He also bowled 5 maiden overs during this period. This was the 16th 5-wicket haul of Bumrah’s career. After Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah has become the first Indian bowler to take 5 wickets on the first day of a Test match. Ishant had achieved this feat against Bangladesh in 2019 on the same ground. Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammad Siraj took two wickets each, while Akshar Patel also managed to take one wicket.

India vs South Africa The first test is being played at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. Team India has lost only 1 test on this ground in the last 25 years. Shubman Gill has won both the Tests he played in India as captain, but today the challenge is big. Temba Bavuma has not lost any test as captain till date, South Africa has won 9 out of 10 matches played under his captaincy.

Eden Gardens Stadium Pitch Report

Shubman Gill said about the pitch in the press conference on Thursday that it looks like a typical Indian pitch. Let us tell you that spinners have dominated here in history, the bowler who has taken the most wickets here is Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble is at second place. Turn can be seen here, spinners can create problems.

Indian squad

Sai Sudarshan, Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (wicket keeper), Rishabh Pant (wicket keeper), Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.

South African squad

Dewald Brewis, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony De Jorji, Tristan Stubbs, Zuboor Hamza, Aiden Markram, Corbin Bosch, Marco Janssen, Senuran Muthusamy, Willem Mulder, Kyle Vergne (wk), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer.

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj is confident that he will perform well in the two-Test series against World Test Championship (WTC) defending champions South Africa starting here from Friday.

India is currently at third place in the WTC points table. They had tied the five-Test series 2-2 in England before defeating the West Indies in two Test matches at home at the start of this cycle.

On the other hand, South Africa started their campaign to defend their World Test Championship title with a 1-1 draw in the Test series against Pakistan.

Siraj said on Geostar, “This series is important for the new WTC cycle, especially because South Africa is the defending champion. Even though they drew the series 1-1 against Pakistan, we are confident of our good form. We have created a positive environment. We performed well in England and won against West Indies.

Siraj performed brilliantly in the five-match Test series against England and was the leading wicket-taker in the series with 23 wickets. He continued his excellent form against West Indies and took 10 wickets in two matches.

He said, “I am bowling with good rhythm and trying to take full advantage of it.” Facing strong teams helps identify areas that need improvement and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.