Losing ODI series to New Zealand is not a big deal, says Yuzvendra Chahal

India were handed disappointment by New Zealand yet again in the 50-over format by winning the three-match bilateral series 3-0. It was a big let down for Virat Kohli’s men who won the T20I series preceding the ODIs 5-0. The consecutive defeats in the ODIs mean India have now lost to the Kiwis in four back-to-back matches, including the semi-final of the ICC World Cup in England last year.

The 0-3 scoreline is also among the worst that India have registered in ODIs in New Zealand in the past, besides the 0-4 defeat in 2013-14 and 2-5 in 2002-03. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who made an impressive return to the ODI side after six months, however, doesn’t think one needs to be too worried with the ODI series loss.

“Overall, if you see it is just the fourth or fifth series loss in the last 4-5 years. The other team is also here to play. You cannot win every match. We have won one series, lost the other, so it is not something too serious to ponder over,” the wrist-spinner, who took a three-wicket haul again in the third match in Mount Maunganui as he did in Auckland, said.

Yuzvendra Chahal backs youngsters

Chahal added that the youngsters in the team will learn a lot from their exposure in New Zealand. India saw a young opening partnership in Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal as the veterans Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have been ruled out with injuries. “Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal came into the side, so youngsters got to play outside India. It is not easy to play in New Zealand. But overall if we see, it is just an ODI series. We did win the T20 series 5-0, first time, that’s a positive for us as well,” the bowler added.

Two of India’s high points in the series were the centuries from Shreyas Iyer in the first match and KL Rahul in the third match but in the all important second tie, India’s batters were a big letdown. Captain Virat Kohli failed to score in the final two games after making 51 in the first.

Chahal also praised New Zealand but admitted fielding remained a concern for India in the series. India played eight limited-over matches in a span of 22 days after a hectic home season and will take the field for a two-match Test series in 10 days time.