In a historic blow to Indian cricket, New Zealand clinched a 2-1 ODI series victory on Sunday, defeating India by 41 runs at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. This marks the first time the Black Caps have ever won a bilateral ODI series on Indian soil, completing a dominant tour following their earlier whitewash of the hosts in the Test series.
Despite a valiant 54th ODI century from Virat Kohli (124 off 108 balls), India were bundled out for 296 in 46 overs while chasing a formidable target of 338. New Zealand’s total was powered by a massive 219-run partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips. Mitchell, who scored a commanding 137, was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series, having amassed 352 runs at a staggering average of 176.
Fans unleash fury on Gautam Gambhir’s coaching tenure after ODI series loss
The defeat has sparked an outpouring of rage on social media, with fans directing their frustration primarily at head coach Gautam Gambhir. While the Indian team secured the Champions Trophy in 2025, their performance in bilateral series has been increasingly erratic. Critics were quick to point out that under Gambhir’s watch, India have now suffered series losses against Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand.
The social media backlash has been relentless, with sack Gambhir trending across platforms. Fans are questioning the tactical shifts and aggressive selection policies that have seen established stars sidelined in favour of younger talent who have yet to find consistency. The atmosphere in Indore reflected this discontent, as the celebratory mood of Kohli’s century quickly soured into boos once the lower order collapsed, leaving the chase master stranded and eventually dismissed in the 46th over.
Gambhir’s selection controversies and strategic failures under fire
Beyond the series loss, the technical low average and lack of tactical flexibility attributed to Gambhir’s leadership have become focal points of the debate. Fans criticized the decision to bench premier left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh in the first two matches, only for him to return in the third ODI and immediately strike with three wickets. This perceived over-experimentation is being blamed for the team’s inability to build momentum.
Furthermore, the dismissal of Rohit Sharma’s captaincy and the sudden transitions in the Test squad have led supporters to label Gambhir’s tenure as chaotic. With India now entering a five-month hiatus from ODI and Test cricket, the pressure on the BCCI to review Gambhir’s position is mounting. Supporters argue that while his intent to modernize the team is clear, the results are failing to justify the cost of losing India’s long-standing home dominance.
Here’s how fans reacted:
#gautamgambhir has proved to be a terrible coach for Team India. @BCCI should look for a better coach now. From test glory to ODI glory, in every department it’s humiliation all around.
— Parth Chaturvedi (@_mrchaturvedi) January 19, 2026
World Cricket Bodies you have once in a lifetime opportunity under #gautamgambhir please come and improve your records in India @BCCI @ACBofficials @ECB_cricket @OfficialSLC @CricketAus @ICC @sanjaymanjrekar #INDVSNZODI
— fREE sPIRIT (@amitsaxena_) January 19, 2026
India has never lost a home ODI series against New Zealand.
Gambhir:#gautamgambhir #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/8mWRQGnPVT
— PAWAN DUKIYA (@pwnprakash) January 19, 2026
Gautam Gambhir’s fabulous CV:
1) Lost home test series to NZ (whitewash)
2) Lost home test series to SA
3) Lost Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia
4) Lost ODI series againt SL
5) Lost ODI series against Australia
6) Lost ODI series against NZ@grok verify#gautamgambhir… pic.twitter.com/C12gNiV4in
— CA Nitin Kaushik (FCA) | LLB (@Finance_Bareek) January 19, 2026
𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 Under Gambhir in (𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁/𝗢𝗗𝗜𝘀)
– After 27yrs, Lost a Bilateral ODI Series vs SL
– For 1st time, Lost 30 Wickets in a 3 match ODI Series
– After 45yrs, India Remained Winless in a Calendar Year in ODIs
– After 36yrs, India Lost Test v NZ at Home
– After 19yrs,… pic.twitter.com/aP4Hc4dqZU— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) January 18, 2026
Address the elephant in the room asap and fix it otherwise it’s too late #INDvsNZ
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) January 18, 2026
– No Williamson
– No Santner
– No Latham
– No Ravindra
– No Chapman
– No Ferguson
– No Henry
– No Duffy
– No O’Rourke
– No SodhiNew Zealand ‘B’ team beat India at their home soil#INDvNZ #ViratKohil #gautamgambhir
— Dhananjay Dhruv (@dhananjay_dhruv) January 19, 2026
I think #gautamgambhir
Must questionable and he’s responsible for not 1-2-4 shameful searies lost in own soil which never happened before test, T20 and now ODI ,
What a disgrace #INDvsNZ— Kilvis (@Kilvish16) January 18, 2026
The GG Era & Gill-e-Haar Kaptaan!#INDvsNZ #gautamgambhir #BCCI #ShubmanGill #IndianCricketTeam pic.twitter.com/Oy0BcGcuED
— Deepak Pandey (@i_Deepak_Pandey) January 18, 2026
Gautam Gambhir as ICT coach:
– Lost BGT 4-1 after.
– Lost odi series vs sri lanka.
– Lost home test series vs nz.
– Lost home test series vs sa.
– Lost ODI series vs NZ C team.
– First time white washed in home Test series.Worst coach ever. Sack him immediately. pic.twitter.com/6neTGvvmEt
— Noah (@PantasticNoah) January 18, 2026
Gautam Gambhir as India Coach:
•Lost ODI series vs Sri Lanka
•Lost home Test series vs New Zealand
•Lost BGT 4-1
•Draw against a subp England side
•Lost ODI series vs an Aussies team
•Made undeserving Gill captain
• LOST ODI series vs Nz Team In HomeWorst coach ever. pic.twitter.com/Hdjt3MmqEF
— ` (@Atomickohli17) January 18, 2026
Also WATCH: Virat Kohli reacts furiously after unexpected fielding error in Indore ODI
