CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Bhopal: CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News / Agencies, Bhopal: In the five-match T20 series against New Zealand, the Indian team won the first three matches to take an unassailable 3-0 lead. It appeared Team India would complete a clean sweep, but New Zealand made a strong comeback in the last two matches and defeated India in succession. India won the series 3-2, but the defeats in the final games exposed several weaknesses in the team.
In the fourth T20 match, New Zealand batted first and scored 259 runs. Glenn Phillips played a blistering innings of 107 off 49 balls, putting the Indian bowlers under pressure. In reply, the Indian team faltered badly while chasing the target and lost the match by 87 runs. New Zealand also won the fifth and final match by seven wickets. After two consecutive defeats, questions are being raised over India’s bowling, batting order and strategy. In particular, the team’s difficulties in defending big scores and preserving wickets under pressure came to the fore.
However, head coach Gautam Gambhir lifted the players’ morale in the dressing room. Praising the team’s collective effort, he said the players should be proud of their performance. Gambhir described the series win in New Zealand as a major achievement and asked the players to return with their heads held high. Despite Gambhir’s positive message, discussion has intensified over reviewing the team’s mistakes after two straight defeats. The Indian team now faces the challenge of improving its bowling, finalising its batting combination and performing better under pressure before the ODI series.
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