India, Jan. 20 -- Ajinkya Rahane, a seasoned Indian batter, gave the ultimate reality check to head coach Gautam Gambhir after the side lost the three-match ODI series against New Zealand on home soil. This is the second time in less than two years that Kiwis have outstaged India, with the previous occasion being 2024, when the Black Caps blanked the hosts 3-0, resulting in the first-ever whitewash for India in a bilateral Test series at home.

India, captained by Shubman Gill, started the ODI series well with a win in the opening match; however, the side went on to lose the next two games, and even Virat Kohli's brilliance was not enough to clinch the decider. The World Cup is still 1.5 years away, but the last nine ODIs have seen India ...