IND vs NZ 2026: 'Team India has a lot to learn from ODI series defeat versus New Zealand' - Harbhajan Singh

Published - 19 Jan 2026, 12:56 IST | Updated - 19 Jan 2026, 12:56 IST

The legendary Harbhajan Singh was effusive in his praise for Virat Kohli after the talismanic batter scored a fighting century in the decisive third ODI against New Zealand. However, his scintillating 124-run knock off 108 deliveries went in vain as India's hopes of winning the series were quashed by the Kiwis.

Apart from Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who smashed their maiden ODI fifties on Sunday, January 18, Harbhajan believes that no other player could support Kohli. The former India spinner also pointed out that India didn't get off to a good start, something which is essential, especially for a team chasing a target as steep as 338.

Despite Kohli's valiant knock, the Men in Blue were dismissed for 296, losing their first-ever ODI series against New Zealand. The Black Caps won the match by 41 runs to create history.

“Virat Kohli scored a brilliant 124, and along with him, Reddy contributed 53 and Rana also made 52. I think if Reddy’s innings had lasted a little longer, the chase might have been possible. But the way I see it, the start that was needed didn’t happen; wickets fell early. Kohli stayed at the crease, but no one supported him. I feel the chase could have been possible but when you are chasing 337, getting a solid start becomes very important, which the Indian team didn’t get," Harbhajan said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.

“As a result, they were constantly playing a catch-up game. Wickets kept falling, and they were always behind. At 150, five wickets were down, and still, there was batting left, Jadeja and Harshit batted reasonably well, and Kohli was there. A chase was possible, but New Zealand also bowled very well, and their fielders were excellent. Anyway, New Zealand had lost the first match, but despite that, they went on to win the series. This is a huge achievement for them. Team India has a lot to learn from this. I hope they will learn from it and move forward,” he added.

Harbhajan didn't forget to acknowledge Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, two players who scored belligerent centuries in the third ODI at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. Mitchell won the Player of the Series award after finishing as the highest run-getter.

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“Credit to Mitchell, he is a very good player. He plays spin really well, is a complete player, and rotates the strike efficiently with singles and doubles. When he goes for a big hit, he hits it really well. And then there’s Glenn Phillips. We’ve seen that he doesn’t just fly around to take catches, he also smashes the ball with his bat. He played a very explosive innings, scoring 106 off 88 balls. I think that innings was crucial. Look at this, New Zealand did all this without Williamson and Trent Boult, their two main players, yet they still won," Harbhajan said.