“If You Don’t Take Wickets, It Becomes Very Difficult,” Gill After Rajkot Loss

New Delhi: India captain Shubman Gill admitted that his side failed to control the game during the middle overs, a lapse that proved costly in their seven wicket defeat against New Zealand in the second ODI at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Wednesday. Gill said the inability to take wickets in that phase allowed the visitors to build momentum and chase the target comfortably.
India posted 284 for 7, a total anchored by KL Rahul’s unbeaten 112 off 92 balls, his eighth ODI century. Despite the competitive score, New Zealand paced their chase well, led by Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 131. Mitchell stitched together a decisive 162 run partnership for the third wicket with Will Young, who contributed 87, steering the visitors to victory and leveling the series.
Reflecting on the defeat, Gill said India bowled well in the opening spell but failed to maintain pressure once the fielding restrictions eased. He noted that with five fielders inside the circle, wickets are crucial to slow down scoring. Without breakthroughs, even an additional 15 to 20 runs on the board would not have been enough to defend the total.
Gill highlighted the importance of partnerships on such batting friendly surfaces, stating that once batsmen get set, they need to make their starts count. He pointed out that new batters often find it difficult to score freely on these wickets, making sustained partnerships a key factor in determining the outcome.
The India skipper also felt that his team could have been more aggressive with the ball in the middle overs. He observed that while the pitch offered some movement early on, it settled after the first 20 to 25 overs, which made bowling more challenging. According to Gill, taking calculated risks during that phase might have changed the course of the game.
Fielding lapses added to India’s troubles, with Gill admitting that missed chances continue to hurt the team in the ODI format. He stressed that failing to capitalise on opportunities often results in matches slipping away.
New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell praised his team’s all round performance, describing the win as a complete effort. He said the bowlers set the tone early, while the batters adapted well under pressure. Bracewell also lauded Mitchell and Young for taking the game away from India with composure and smart shot selection, underlining New Zealand’s ability to adjust to conditions and execute their plans effectively.