A moment from the dugout caught attention during the third ODI between India and New Zealand at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday, January 18. Head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen having a chat with left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who was off the field during the must-win game.
India made a strong start in the must-win third ODI after Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl. Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh removed Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls in the first two overs. Rana then picked up his second wicket by dismissing Will Young, putting India in a commanding position early.
Kuldeep Yadav Has Animated Chat With Gautam Gambhir
Kuldeep Yadav went off the field after a difficult start in the third ODI, where he struggled to settle. He was brought into the attack in the 17th over and conceded a six off his very first ball.
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The left-arm wrist-spinner completed his first three overs without taking a wicket and gave away 18 runs. After finishing his spell, he walked off the field, following which Gautam Gambhir was seen having an animated discussion with him in the dugout.
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Captain Shubman Gill chose not to persist with Kuldeep for a longer spell, especially with Daryl Mitchell batting fluently at the time.
Kuldeep Yadav Struggles for Rhythm in ODI Series Against New Zealand
Kuldeep Yadav has shown mixed form in recent ODI series. He topped the bowling charts against South Africa at home with nine wickets in three matches at an average of 20.77 and an economy rate of 6.23, with best figures of 4/41.
His form has dipped in the ongoing series against New Zealand. In the first ODI, Kuldeep picked up one wicket for 52 runs from nine overs. He struggled more in the second match, conceding 82 runs in 10 overs while taking one wicket and failing to build pressure.
In that second ODI, New Zealand chased 285 to win by seven wickets and level the series 1-1. Daryl Mitchell scored an unbeaten 131 off 117 balls. As per cricmetric.com, Mitchell has scored an unbeaten 65 off 47 balls against Kuldeep across the first two ODIs, hitting two sixes and six fours at a strike rate of 138.3.
Rana, Arshdeep Set the Tone as India Eye Home ODI Series Win
Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh removed openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls inside the first two overs. Rana then struck again by dismissing Will Young, who had scored 87 in the second ODI.
At the time of writing, New Zealand were 187/3 after 34 overs, with Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips at the crease.
India won the first ODI by seven wickets, while New Zealand levelled the series with a seven-wicket win in the second match. India are aiming for another home ODI series win after defeating South Africa 2-1 in December 2025.
They remain unbeaten in ODIs at the Holkar Stadium and last defeated New Zealand there by 90 runs in January 2023.
Also read: Ravindra Jadeja’s stunning catch dismisses Will Young; Virat Kohli’s fiery celebration goes viral
