Ten Doeschate Points to Spin Flaws as Key Reason Behind India's 2nd ODI Defeat to NZ
Assistant coach highlights spinners' length problems and collective shortcomings after India fails to challenge NZ in Rajkot.
India’s struggles with their spin attack were laid bare as New Zealand outplayed them comprehensively in the second ODI of the ongoing series, leaving the Men in Blue with a humbling defeat at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Rajkot. The loss exposed weaknesses that had previously gone under the radar, largely masked by the brilliance of veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in prior games. With the duo failing to deliver in this fixture, India could not mount a serious challenge, ultimately falling short against a well-prepared New Zealand side.
At the post-match press conference, assistant coach Ryan Ten Doeschate refused to shield the players, calling for introspection and urging the bowlers, particularly the spinners, to sharpen their skills. “We probably want to bowl a little bit better than we did tonight,” Ten Doeschate said. “Particularly spinners, about lengths. But we'll go back and look at those lengths in more detail. But it’s never just one reason for losing a game. There’s a lot of different things going into that loss tonight.”
The statistics underlined India’s challenges: pacers Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna picked up two wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav claimed only one, dismissing Will Young, after the Kiwis had already put together a 162-run partnership for the third wicket. The lack of penetration and inconsistency in the spin department was evident, especially in the middle overs, where India failed to build pressure.
Also Read: New Zealand Prioritizes India Series Over T20 World Cup Prep: Daryl Mitchell
New Zealand’s victory was also a testament to strategic planning and adaptability, with Daryl Mitchell, who was named Player of the Match, highlighting the team’s approach to neutralize Kuldeep Yadav early in his spell. “Kuldeep is one of the best bowlers in the world, he can turn it both ways,” Mitchell said. “It was about adapting to different situations and finding different options against him.”The Kiwi strategy appeared meticulously designed, targeting India’s weakest links and exposing their inability to adjust under pressure. The planning and execution on display highlighted the gap between India’s batting depth and bowling efficiency, particularly in the spin department.
While Ten Doeschate refrained from criticizing any individual player harshly, his comments clearly indicated that India’s collective performance was underwhelming, and highlighted the need for greater consistency, especially among the spinners. He stressed that improving lengths, line, and variation would be crucial in preventing similar collapses in upcoming matches.
The defeat raises questions about India’s preparedness and adaptability in the 50-over format, particularly as the team looks ahead to a series of challenging fixtures in the international calendar. With key players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma not firing simultaneously, India will need contributions from the entire squad, especially its spin arsenal, to remain competitive.
Ten Doeschate also signaled that the coaching staff will review the game in depth, analyzing the bowling strategies, field placements, and execution errors that allowed New Zealand to capitalize on India’s shortcomings. The emphasis on learning and adaptation reflects a forward-looking approach, aiming to strengthen the team before the remaining ODIs in the series.For now, India will return to training with a focus on correcting lengths, refining variations, and improving mental resilience, while New Zealand has reinforced their reputation for disciplined planning and execution, further intensifying the challenge for the Men in Blue in the series decider
