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Ashwin Slams India's "Flat, Soft" Cricket After Historic ODI Series Loss to NZ

Former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin expressed deep disappointment with India's "flat and soft" performance in their historic ODI series loss to New Zealand at home. He controversially stated that, in his view, New Zealand effectively won the series "5-0" due to their dominant threat throughout. Despite a brilliant century from Virat Kohli in the decisive match, India fell 41 runs short while chasing 338. The series defeat marks New Zealand's first ODI series win in India since 1988.

Key Points: Ashwin Criticizes India's "Flat" Response in NZ ODI Series Loss

  • India's first ODI series loss to NZ at home
  • Ashwin calls team response "flat and soft"
  • NZ's historic win after 1988
  • Kohli's century in vain in final ODI
3 min read

Ashwin dissappointed by India's "flat, soft" cricket during ODI series against New Zealand at home

Ravichandran Ashwin says India's cricket was "flat and soft" in their historic ODI series defeat to New Zealand at home, calling it a "5-0" loss.

"In my books, New Zealand won the series 5-0. - Ravichandran Ashwin"

Chennai, January 19

Following India's first-ever ODI series loss to New Zealand at home, former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin felt that India's response to challenges posed by the Kiwis looked a "bit flat" and he feels that the visitors have won the series by "5-0".

It was a historic occasion for a Michael Bracewell-led Kiwis, deprived of several of their key players, as Daryl Mitchell, Jayden Lennox, Glenn Phillips and Kristian Clarke delivered fine performances, helping NZ bounce back after a loss in the first ODI to secure the other two ODIs.

In the final ODI, the Kiwis posted 337/8 in the first innings and had India at 71/4, but Virat Kohli (124), Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) and Harshit Rana (52) threatened to pull things back. However, timely wickets earned the Kiwis a 41-run win, and they went on to win the series 2-1.

For the first time since 1988 in ODIs, NZ pulled off a series win in India, coming over a year after a 3-0 Test whitewash in 2024, which marked India's first Test series loss at home in 12 years.

Speaking during 'Ash ki Baat', Ashwin said, "Everything will be forgotten now. There is the T20 World Cup and the IPL now. So, if the environment is there, things will go accordingly. We all know this. But if the T20 World Cup does not go well and people do not perform in the IPL too, there will be pressure on them. But if everything goes well, this series will be forgotten. In my books, New Zealand won the series 5-0. They won two but threatened to win one more too, so it was actually a sweep."

Ashwin said he did not know whether India was ready or not, or whether there was a lack of preparation, but he felt the response by Team India was flat.

"I thought if India even plays their B or C teams, they can beat sides. I am a little worried now that this has nothing to do with the team's quality. Looking from the outside, I think the Indian team's response has been a bit flat. That response is not there. Always, when the team has been put under pressure, the Indian team has found ways in the past and has shown that habit. I just felt that the response felt flat, and that was disappointing. I do not think we put them under pressure. We played very soft cricket," he concluded.

Centuries from Daryl Mitchell (137*) and Glenn Phillips (106) took NZ to 337/8, despite three wickets from Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. After being reduced to 5/2 and later 58/3, the duo put on a 219-run stand that put the Kiwis in a commanding position.

In the chase, India was down at 71/4, but an entertaining 88-run stand between Virat and Nitish Kumar Reddy (53 in 57 balls, with two fours and two sixes) and a 99-run stand between Virat and Harshit Rana (52 in 43 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes) gave India hope, with Virat producing a masterclass 108-ball 124 to the delight of Indore crowd.

However, once he was gone, it was curtains for India, who were all out for 296 in 46 overs, handing NZ the series 1-2.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a neutral fan, I have to say New Zealand played brilliant, fearless cricket. They were missing key players too! Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips were phenomenal. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to the better team on the day.
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Priya S
It's very disappointing yaar. Losing a home series after so long... and to a team without their main players. Where was the aggression? The bowlers looked clueless once the partnership built. Hope the team management takes this seriously and not just brushes it aside because of the IPL.
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Vikram M
Ashwin's "5-0" comment is harsh but makes a point. The Kiwis dominated the crucial moments in both games they won. Our fielding was below par, and the bowling lacked a wicket-taking plan in the middle overs. Soft is the right word. Time for some tough questions before the World Cup.
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Rohit P
Let's not overreact. It's a bilateral series. The focus is the T20 World Cup. Yes, we lost, but we also saw good innings from Virat and some fight from the youngsters like Harshit Rana. We'll bounce back. 💪
K
Kavya N
I respectfully disagree with Ashwin's tone. Calling it a "5-0" sweep disrespects the fight Virat Kohli and the lower order showed. We lost two close games. The problem is over-reliance on seniors. When Kohli got out, the innings collapsed. Need to build bench strength, not just criticize.

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