India captain Shubman Gill came out strongly in support of senior opener Rohit Sharma after India suffered a 2–1 ODI series defeat against New Zealand, their first-ever bilateral ODI series loss to the Kiwis at home. Speaking at the post-match press conference after the third ODI in Indore, Gill addressed questions around Rohit’s lean run with a blunt yet balanced response.
Rohit Sharma endured a tough series with the bat, managing just 61 runs across three innings at an average of 20.33, without a single half-century. In the series decider, while chasing a stiff target of 338, the veteran opener was dismissed for 11, putting him under scrutiny. However, Gill was quick to remind critics of Rohit’s recent form and experience.
“I think Rohit Sharma has been in terrific form right from the Australia series and even in South Africa,” Gill said. “You won’t always be able to convert starts. He did get starts in this series as well, but as a batsman, it’s not possible to turn every start into a hundred.”
The third ODI saw New Zealand put up an imposing 337/8 after being asked to bat first. Daryl Mitchell continued his remarkable run with a superb 137, while Glenn Phillips added a fluent 106. Late cameos from captain Michael Bracewell ensured New Zealand finished strongly. For India, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana picked up three wickets each.
In reply, India’s chase was anchored by a fighting century from Virat Kohli, who scored 124 off 108 balls. He was well supported by Harshit Rana, who struck his maiden ODI fifty, and Nitish Kumar Reddy’s composed half-century. Despite the resistance, India were bowled out for 296 in 46 overs, falling short by 41 runs.
The series defeat raises questions ahead of the upcoming T20Is, but Gill’s backing of Rohit signals continuity and confidence in the leadership group, even amid a rare home-series disappointment.
