What unfolded over the past week was something Indian cricket fans had never witnessed before. India, long considered nearly unbeatable at home in ODIs, suffered their first ever bilateral series defeat on the home soil against New Zealand, a result that has triggered widespread disappointment and intense reactions.
The series began with India narrowly winning the opening ODI at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on January 11, giving fans little reason to worry. But New Zealand staged a stunning turnaround. They dominated the second ODI in Rajkot with a seven-wicket win and then sealed the series in Indore with a comprehensive 41-run victory, taking the series 2-1.
Daryl Mitchell was the standout performer for the visitors. Batting with authority and composure, the world’s No. 2 ODI batter smashed back-to-back centuries in the final two matches. Under Michael Bracewell’s captaincy, New Zealand displayed discipline and belief to register their first ever ODI series win in India.
For the hosts, the defeat felt especially painful. This was Shubman Gill’s first home ODI series as India’s captain and expectations were high. The disappointment grew sharper because New Zealand fielded a largely second-string side, missing several senior players. Despite that, India, the world’s top-ranked ODI team, were outplayed.
Virat Kohli’s century in the final ODI could not prevent the loss and once the result was confirmed, frustration spilled over on social media. Many fans aimed their criticism at head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management. Some comments reflected a belief that Indian cricket has suffered multiple setbacks recently, including rare home series defeats and trophy losses across formats. These fans were essentially questioning whether leadership decisions and selection strategies have weakened India’s dominance.
Other reactions were more sarcastic in tone, mocking the fact that an outcome once thought impossible had now become reality. A few comments suggested that under the current coaching regime, records once considered unbreakable were being broken for the wrong reasons. The underlying sentiment across these reactions was disappointment mixed with disbelief, as fans struggled to accept a loss that felt unthinkable at home.
Here are few reactions:
https://x.com/LetsXOtt/status/2012924181055455521
https://x.com/internetumpire/status/2012917483653738888
https://x.com/Vidhayak023/status/2012924815259414996
https://x.com/RonakCh04322509/status/2012924285204176952
https://x.com/aye_hero_/status/2012993952723743111
On the field, New Zealand backed their batting heroics with strong bowling. Zak Foulkes and Kristian Clarke picked up three wickets each, while young spinner Jayden Lennox impressed with control and maturity, taking two wickets and keeping the pressure on India.
For New Zealand, the series win was historic and uplifting. For India, it was a sobering reminder that reputation alone guarantees nothing. The result has not only rewritten the record books but also ignited serious debate about leadership, planning and the road ahead for Indian cricket.
