A historic blow to Indian cricket, New Zealand He beat Sunday to claim a 2-1 ODI series win India 41 runs at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. This is the first time the Black Caps have won a bilateral ODI series on Indian soil, completing a dominant tour after an earlier whitewash of the hosts in the Test series.
A brave 54th ODI century though Virat Kohli (108 off 124 balls), India were bundled out for 296 off 46 balls as they chased down a mammoth target of 338. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips. Mitchell, who scored 137 and scored 352 runs, was named both Man of the Match and Man of the Series.
Fans are furious with Gautam Gambhir’s coaching tenure after losing the ODI series
The defeat sparked outrage on social media, with fans directing their frustrations primarily at the head coach. Gautam Gambhir. Although the Indian team has secured the Champions Trophy in 2025, their performance in bilateral series has been increasingly erratic. Critics have pointed out that under Gambhir’s watch, India have now suffered losses against the series Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand.
The social media reaction was relentless, with the sack of Gambhir spreading across platforms. Fans have questioned the tactical changes and aggressive selection policies that have seen certain stars sidelined in favor of young talents who are yet to find consistency. The atmosphere in Indore reflected that displeasure, as the celebratory mood of Kohli’s century quickly turned into chaos after the lower order crumbled, the chase master stranded and eventually dismissed on 46.
Gambhir’s selection controversies and strategic failures are under fire
Apart from the series loss, the technical low average and lack of tactical flexibility attributed to Gambhir’s management became the main points of debate. Fans criticized the left-armer’s decision to debut Arshdeep Singh in the first two matches, only for him to return in the third ODI and immediately hit with three wickets. This over-experimentation has been blamed for the team’s inability to build momentum.
In addition, dismissal Rohit Sharma‘s captaincy and sudden transitions in the Test squad led supporters to label Gambhir’s tenure as chaotic. Now, with India entering a five-month hiatus from ODI and Test cricket, pressure is mounting on the BCCI to review Gambhir’s position. Supporters argue that while his intention to modernize the team is clear, the results have not justified the cost of losing India’s long-standing home run.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
#gautamgambhir He proved to be a terrible coach for the Indian team. @BCCI now you have to look for a better coach. From Test glory to ODI glory, he is humiliated everywhere in every department.
— Parth Chaturvedi (@_mrchaturvedi) January 19, 2026
You have a once in a lifetime opportunity under World Cricket Bodies #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 have never lost a home ODI series against New Zealand.
Gambhir:#gautamgambhir #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/8mWRQGnPVT
— PAWAN DUKIYA (@pwnprakash) January 19, 2026
Incredible CV of Gautam Gambhir:
1) Lost home test series NZ (crying)
2) Lost home test series for SA
3) Lost Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia
4) Lost ODI series against SL
5) Lost ODI series against Australia
6) Lost ODI series against NZ@grok check it out#gautamgambhir… pic.twitter.com/C12gNiV4in
— CA Nitin Kaushik (FCA) | LLB (@Finance_Bareek) January 19, 2026
India Under Gambhir in
– Lost a Bilateral ODI Series against SL after 27 years
– Lost 30 Wickets in 3 matches in an ODI Series for the first time
– After 45 years, India remain winless in ODIs in a Calendar year
– After 36 years, India lost a test against NZ at home
– After 19 years… pic.twitter.com/aP4Hc4dqZU— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) January 18, 2026
Address the elephant in the room quickly and fix it, or it’s too late #INDvsNZ
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) January 18, 2026
– No Williamson
– Not Santner
– No Latham
– No Ravindra
– There is no Chapman
– Not Ferguson
– No Henry
– No Duffy
– No O’Rourke
– No SodhiNew Zealand “B” team defeated India at home#INDvNZ #ViratKohil #gautamgambhir
— Dhananjay Dhruv (@dhananjay_dhruv) January 19, 2026
i think #gautamgambhir
Must be suspect and responsible for embarrassing 1-2-4 sea loss on home soil which never happened before test, T20 and now ODI ,
What a shame #INDvsNZ— Kilvish (@Kilvish16) January 18, 2026
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:
– Then BGT lost 4-1.
– Lost odi series against Sri Lanka.
– Lost home test series vs nz.
– Lost home test series vs.
– Lost ODI series against NZ C team.
– Home is whitewashed for the first time in a Test series.Worst coach ever. Fire him immediately. pic.twitter.com/6neTGvvmEt
— Noah (@PantasticNoah) January 18, 2026
Gautam Gambhir as India head coach:
•Lost ODI series against Sri Lanka
• Lost the home Test series against New Zealand
•BGT lost 4-1
• Draw with England side
•Lost ODI series against Aussies
• The unworthy Gill made captain
• LOST ODI series against Team Nz at homeWorst coach ever. pic.twitter.com/Hdjt3MmqEF
— ` (@Atomicohli17) January 18, 2026
Also WATCH: Virat Kohli reacts angrily after an unexpected fielding error in the Indore ODI
