“Well begun is half done.” That old proverb hit like a thunderclap when Sunil Gavaskar dissected India’s shocking 2–1 ODI series loss to New Zealand in January 2026. Despite Virat Kohli’s vintage, match-defining century in the final game, the Men in Blue couldn’t prevent their first home ODI series defeat to the Kiwis since 2016—a result that has left fans and experts alike searching for answers .
Gavaskar, India’s original batting legend, didn’t mince words. In a pointed post-match analysis, he laid the blame squarely at the feet of the top-order batters, whose repeated failures to provide stable starts rendered Kohli’s brilliance utterly futile. “You can’t keep expecting one man to carry the burden,” Gavaskar remarked, highlighting a systemic issue that threatens India’s dominance in white-ball cricket .
Table of Contents
- The Series That Exposed India’s Batting Flaws
- Kohli’s Century in Vain: A Solo Effort
- Gavaskar’s Scathing Assessment of the Top Order
- Praise for Harshit Rana and Glimmers of Hope
- What Young Batters Must Learn from Kohli
- Conclusion: Rebuilding India’s ODI Foundation
- Sources
The Series That Exposed India’s Batting Flaws
The three-match ODI series, played across Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru, was meant to be a tune-up ahead of major global tournaments. Instead, it became a stress test that India failed spectacularly. While the bowling unit showed flashes of promise, the batting—especially the top four—collapsed repeatedly under pressure .
In the decisive third ODI, India lost three wickets for just 15 runs inside the powerplay. Such a start made Kohli’s eventual 112 off 119 balls not just heroic, but tragically isolated. Without support, even the greatest innings can’t win matches. This pattern—brilliant individual performances drowned by collective fragility—has become a worrying trend in India’s recent ODI outings.
Kohli’s Century in Vain: A Solo Effort
Kohli’s knock was a masterclass in pacing, shot selection, and mental fortitude. He anchored the innings, rotated strike intelligently, and accelerated only when partnerships were secure. Yet, for all his skill, he found no ally. The next highest score in the innings was a mere 28. When Kohli fell in the 42nd over, the game was effectively over .
This wasn’t the first time Kohli has carried an otherwise listless batting unit. But as Gavaskar emphasized, relying on a 37-year-old—even one of his caliber—is unsustainable. “Virat can’t be the fire brigade every time the top order sets the house on fire,” he quipped, underscoring the urgency for systemic change.
Gavaskar’s Scathing Assessment of the Top Order
Gavaskar’s core critique centered on two fatal flaws among India’s younger batters:
- Poor Shot Selection Early On: Chasing flashy boundaries instead of building a foundation, leading to soft dismissals in the first 10 overs.
- Lack of Temperament Under Pressure: Inability to absorb pressure during New Zealand’s disciplined new-ball spells, especially from Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke.
He noted that while talent is abundant, “temperament is trained, not inherited.” The current crop, he argued, spends too much time on T20 leagues and not enough on the art of constructing an ODI innings—a skill Kohli has perfected over 15 years.
Praise for Harshit Rana and Glimmers of Hope
Amid the gloom, Gavaskar did highlight a bright spot: pacer Harshit Rana. In the final ODI, Rana smashed a fiery 41 off just 28 balls in the lower order, showing rare aggression and intent when the game was already slipping away. “That’s the kind of fearless attitude we need—but higher up the order,” Gavaskar said approvingly .
Rana’s cameo, though inconsequential to the result, symbolized the fighting spirit missing from the top. It’s a reminder that potential exists; it just needs direction and discipline.
What Young Batters Must Learn from Kohli
Gavaskar urged emerging stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rajat Patidar to study Kohli’s approach—not just his cover drive, but his mindset:
- Respect the Powerplay: Focus on survival and rotation, not sixes.
- Build Partnerships: Prioritize the team total over personal milestones.
- Adapt to Conditions: Adjust technique based on pitch, opposition, and match situation.
- Mental Resilience: Stay calm after early wickets; don’t panic.
“Watch how Virat leaves balls outside off stump early on. Watch how he takes singles to keep the scoreboard ticking. That’s ODI batting 101,” Gavaskar advised.
Conclusion: Rebuilding India’s ODI Foundation
The India ODI series loss to New Zealand is more than a blip—it’s a wake-up call. As Gavaskar’s analysis makes clear, individual brilliance cannot compensate for structural weakness. With the Champions Trophy and future World Cups on the horizon, India must urgently address its top-order fragility. The blueprint is there: emulate Kohli’s discipline, temper aggression with responsibility, and build innings like you’re building a house—brick by brick. For a deeper dive into how India can rebuild its white-ball strategy, see our tactical breakdown on [INTERNAL_LINK:india-odi-batting-revamp-plan].
Sources
- “‘Well begun is half done’: Gavaskar dissects India’s historic ODI series defeat,” Times of India.
- “Gavaskar criticizes India’s top order after NZ series loss,” ESPNcricinfo.
- “India vs New Zealand ODI Series 2026 Scorecard & Highlights,” Cricbuzz.
- “Virat Kohli’s 50th ODI century comes in a losing cause,” Hindustan Times.
- “Harshit Rana’s quickfire 41 earns Gavaskar’s praise,” Indian Express.