Aakash Chopra Slams India’s Bowling After ODI Series Loss to New Zealand
In the wake of India’s disappointing 41-run defeat to New Zealand in the third and final ODI at the Holkar Stadium in Indore - a loss that handed the Kiwis their first-ever bilateral ODI series win on Indian soil - former India opener Aakash Chopra did not mince words while assessing the shortcomings of the Indian bowling unit. Sharing his views on his analysis platforms, Chopra zeroed in on what went wrong for the Men in Blue, with a particular focus on their struggles with the ball.
Chopra’s criticism was blunt and telling. He pointed out that “this entire team had about half the wickets Kuldeep has”, underlining the lack of wickets taken by India’s bowling attack, especially during the crucial middle overs. That phase ultimately proved decisive, allowing New Zealand’s batters to build partnerships and post a formidable total on a traditionally batting-friendly surface. While Kuldeep Yadav, India’s lead spinner, managed to make an impact across the ODI series, the rest of the bowling lineup failed to deliver consistent breakthroughs.
India’s bowling woes were particularly evident in the third ODI. After New Zealand posted a commanding 337/8, largely powered by substantial contributions from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, the Indian bowling attack struggled to sustain pressure. Early breakthroughs by the pacers were not complemented by incisive spin bowling or clear middle-over plans, enabling the visitors to regroup, rebuild and accelerate with confidence.
Chopra’s assessment reflects a broader pattern that emerged throughout the India vs New Zealand ODI series. Despite making early inroads, India repeatedly lost momentum in the middle overs, failing to either choke the flow of runs or pick up wickets that could have shifted the game’s balance. Post-match analysis suggests that once the initial success faded, wickets dried up, allowing New Zealand’s batters to settle and dictate terms.
One of the key frustrations highlighted by critics, including Chopra, was India’s inability to convert promising spells into match-winning bowling performances. Spinners, traditionally a major strength for India in home ODIs, were unable to exert their usual control. While Kuldeep Yadav picked up a few scalps, others - including Ravindra Jadeja - went wicketless during critical stages. Data from the series indicates that India’s spin bowling fell short of expected standards, conceding runs at a higher rate while producing limited breakthroughs.
The repercussions of this bowling inefficiency were clear in the series decider. New Zealand’s chase was buoyed by key partnerships in the middle overs, exactly the phase where India faltered with their bowling strategy. New Zealand’s Kristian Clarke and other bowlers exploited the gaps created by India’s inability to stem the flow of runs in that segment.
Chopra’s comments also raise questions about team selection and tactical balance. Critics outside the commentary box have questioned whether India’s bowling combinations maximized the variety and wicket-taking options required in modern ODI cricket. Some experts argue that India’s bowling attack lacked the sustained variation needed to challenge bold, aggressive batting lineups like New Zealand’s.
While the team’s batting, highlighted by Virat Kohli’s impressive century in the same match showed grit and class, the lack of penetration in bowling ultimately proved decisive in a series that India was expected to win at home. Chopra’s critique points to the need for introspection and tactical refinement if India hopes to remain dominant in the ODI format moving forward.
Chopra’s criticism was blunt and telling. He pointed out that “this entire team had about half the wickets Kuldeep has”, underlining the lack of wickets taken by India’s bowling attack, especially during the crucial middle overs. That phase ultimately proved decisive, allowing New Zealand’s batters to build partnerships and post a formidable total on a traditionally batting-friendly surface. While Kuldeep Yadav, India’s lead spinner, managed to make an impact across the ODI series, the rest of the bowling lineup failed to deliver consistent breakthroughs.
India’s bowling woes were particularly evident in the third ODI. After New Zealand posted a commanding 337/8, largely powered by substantial contributions from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, the Indian bowling attack struggled to sustain pressure. Early breakthroughs by the pacers were not complemented by incisive spin bowling or clear middle-over plans, enabling the visitors to regroup, rebuild and accelerate with confidence.
Chopra’s assessment reflects a broader pattern that emerged throughout the India vs New Zealand ODI series. Despite making early inroads, India repeatedly lost momentum in the middle overs, failing to either choke the flow of runs or pick up wickets that could have shifted the game’s balance. Post-match analysis suggests that once the initial success faded, wickets dried up, allowing New Zealand’s batters to settle and dictate terms.
One of the key frustrations highlighted by critics, including Chopra, was India’s inability to convert promising spells into match-winning bowling performances. Spinners, traditionally a major strength for India in home ODIs, were unable to exert their usual control. While Kuldeep Yadav picked up a few scalps, others - including Ravindra Jadeja - went wicketless during critical stages. Data from the series indicates that India’s spin bowling fell short of expected standards, conceding runs at a higher rate while producing limited breakthroughs.
The repercussions of this bowling inefficiency were clear in the series decider. New Zealand’s chase was buoyed by key partnerships in the middle overs, exactly the phase where India faltered with their bowling strategy. New Zealand’s Kristian Clarke and other bowlers exploited the gaps created by India’s inability to stem the flow of runs in that segment.
Chopra’s comments also raise questions about team selection and tactical balance. Critics outside the commentary box have questioned whether India’s bowling combinations maximized the variety and wicket-taking options required in modern ODI cricket. Some experts argue that India’s bowling attack lacked the sustained variation needed to challenge bold, aggressive batting lineups like New Zealand’s.
While the team’s batting, highlighted by Virat Kohli’s impressive century in the same match showed grit and class, the lack of penetration in bowling ultimately proved decisive in a series that India was expected to win at home. Chopra’s critique points to the need for introspection and tactical refinement if India hopes to remain dominant in the ODI format moving forward.
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