On paper, India have won the series 3-2. The scoreline says it clearly. But look at the series closely as a cricket fan, and this does not look like a victory earned through convincing performances.
Indian fans might be happy that the team finally won a series in a SENA country after losing against Ireland and England. But there is little reason to celebrate so much when India have not addressed their weaknesses.
Without luck and the help provided by New Zealand’s players, India could have lost this series 3-2 or even 4-1. Here is why.
New Zealand Won Two One-Sided Matches, India Won Only One
Look at New Zealand’s two victories in the final two matches. Both were one-sided. In neither game did India look like they were seriously in the contest.
Now look at India’s victories. The first two matches were tense, with the results coming in the final over. There were several moments when New Zealand looked like winning. Both matches were extremely close.
India’s third victory was one-sided, with New Zealand never really in the game.
That means New Zealand won two matches convincingly, while India won only one convincingly. The other two could have gone either way. Of course, a win is a win, and India took the series 3-2. But that alone does not explain how the series was won.
Fifteen Dropped Catches Gifted India Repeated Chances
The most important point is New Zealand’s catching. They dropped 15 catches across five matches—an average of three dropped catches per game.
If the opposition drops three catches every match, should India be satisfied with winning the series only 3-2? With that much help, the margin should have been much better. India should have been looking to win all five matches.
Every dropped catch gave an Indian batter another opportunity to stay at the crease and score. Getting so many extra chances is a huge advantage. Teams do not normally receive that kind of help throughout a series.
Add the two wickets New Zealand took off no-balls, and India received even more lifelines. New Zealand created opportunities to dismiss batters, only to give those opportunities away.
Their poor fielding played a major role in India winning 3-2. Had they taken those chances, India could easily have lost another match and the series.
Toss Luck and Dew Also Helped India
Luck also worked in India’s favour at the toss. New Zealand lost the toss in the first four matches, leaving them bowling second each time.
These matches were being played late at night in New Zealand so that Indian viewers could watch at a convenient time. The concern with those late finishes was dew and the extra advantage it could give the team batting second.
When there is heavy dew, gripping the ball becomes difficult. Bowlers struggle to control their deliveries, and maintaining the right line and length becomes much harder.
Look at the final match. New Zealand batted second and won comfortably. After the early stages, India’s bowlers struggled with their grip and control. Their lines and lengths suffered because they could not control the ball properly.
India’s first four toss wins repeatedly gave their bowlers the opportunity to use whatever movement was available in the first innings. New Zealand then had to defend, with the later overs becoming especially difficult when dew affected the ball.
That matters particularly in the first two matches. New Zealand were in positions to win, but lost those games during the final 10 overs. The argument is that dew made it harder for their bowlers to maintain control at the very stage when the matches slipped away.
A wet ball can also contribute to fielding mistakes. Fumbles and missed chances give the chasing team further help, adding to the difficulty of defending a target.
India Have Little Reason to Be Proud of This Performance
Judge the cricket rather than just the scoreline, and India’s performance was not good enough to justify this level of celebration.
New Zealand’s fielders gave India repeated opportunities. Winning the first four tosses also worked in India’s favour. Without those advantages, this series could have belonged to New Zealand.
India have the trophy, but their weaknesses remain. A 3-2 victory after receiving so much help is hardly a performance to be proud of.
