India lost the series against New Zealand in Indore, but what was even more disappointing was that Rohit Sharma was left alone and disappointed with the defeat. This match could have a big impact on the former Indian captain, who is in the final stages of his career.
India’s unbeaten run in bilateral home ODI matches against New Zealand ended on Sunday. The Blackcaps have dominated the Men in Blue on their soil as they won the Test series during their last visit in 2024 and have now managed to end their winning streak in one-day bilateral matches.
Daryl Mitchell has been the showman for the Kiwis, scoring nearly 350 runs in three matches; The new world No. 1 ranked batsman by ICC averaged around 175 in the series and finished the series with a half-century and two centuries.
Rohit Sharma disappointed after losing home series to New Zealand
Despite a brilliant century from Virat Kohli as well as several brilliant efforts from the Indian lower order, India could not get over the line. The Indian top order failed to contribute, which was much needed in such a high-scoring game.
As the Indian players went back to the dressing room following the post-match incidents, former Indian captain Rohit Sharma was left alone by his teammates, and the players also seemed very unimpressed and disappointed by the defeat, as well as the fact that he could not perform when his team needed him to.
Rohit Sharma has struggled to score runs in the series. Batting against the new ball is not easy; However, Rohit has scored only 61 runs in three matches at an average of over 20. The situation has become such that people said that this experienced villain was behind India’s defeat.
Rohit Sharma looked disappointed after the match. Even though players were surrounding him from all sides, he still seemed to be standing alone.
We all want Hitman’s big comeback pic.twitter.com/bFEdu39QTk
– 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@Rushiii_12) 18 January 2026
Rohit Sharma will be seen next in IPL
Rohit Sharma is undoubtedly one of India’s greatest white-ball cricketers, and his dominance as well as the statistics prove it all. They even bounced back in ODI cricket, batting with dominance and defeating the Australians and Proteas with ease, but failed against the Kiwis.
The New Zealand series has posed a big threat to Rohit’s ODI future. The flop series was not only a big batting mistake for Rohit, but his lack of contribution in the top order also affected the team and India lost the series at home.
Sharma will next be seen playing for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. India now have no other ODI series until the trip to England in June–July; However, whether Rohit Sharma will be retained in the national team or not will be a decision that the Indian management will have to take into consideration.
Virat Kohli’s brilliant performance in ODIs continues; Will RO separate from KO before CWC 2027?
Whereas the other veteran batsman Virat Kohli has continued his excellent form with the bat. Kohli started the series with a half-century as he missed his century by just 7 runs and still led India to victory while chasing the 300-run target in Vadodara.
Although the Kiwis had interrupted the legend’s 50+ scoring streak in Rajkot, Kohli has always been a trailblazer when it comes to comebacks. The veteran player made a strong comeback in the high-pressure game in Indore.
Kohli scored his 85th international century, despite which India’s undefeated record in Indore was broken. Now, with Rohit losing his rhythm and Kohli troubling everyone with his batting, will India part ways with Rohit Sharma while retaining Virat Kohli?
Will the famous RO-KO duo break after the two legends retire from Test and T20I formats at the same time?
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