Gambhir concerned over India's batting collapse after 244-run defeat to New Zealand

India's batting collapse against New Zealand in the fourth ODI on Friday has left head coach Gautam Gambhir concerned, particularly as the conditions resembled those the team could encounter during next year's World Cup in South Africa.

India were bowled out for just 89 in 26.4 overs while chasing New Zealand's imposing total of 333, suffering a crushing 244-run defeat as Matt Henry claimed six wickets.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Gambhir admitted that the speed and manner of India's collapse, rather than the low total alone, had raised serious concerns ahead of the global tournament.

"You're always concerned when you get bundled out for 90-odd. Why won't I be concerned? These are conditions which are going to be closest to what we might get during the World Cup," Gambhir said.

"The bigger concern is not the runs. It's how quickly we got bundled out, around 26 or 27 overs. That is something which is always a concern," he added.

𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

India's difficulties against the moving ball were also evident in the previous ODI, when the visitors slumped to 111 for seven while chasing a modest target of 135 in a rain-curtailed encounter.

Gambhir stressed that the team needed greater technical and mental preparedness to negotiate the challenging opening overs in New Zealand.

He explained that while the first 10 overs generally offered favourable batting conditions in India, the same period could be the most demanding in New Zealand.

"If you get 35 or 40 in the first 10 overs without losing a wicket, that is also good enough. Here, it's probably the most difficult time," he said.

The head coach pointed to the challenging lengths employed by New Zealand pacers Henry and Kyle Jamieson, which left Indian batters uncertain whether to play forward or off the back foot.

"I thought, more than the wobble seam, it's the areas that have probably created problems for us. It was that length where you couldn't go forward, you couldn't go back. It was that half-half length," Gambhir said.

𝗛𝗲𝗻𝗿𝘆'𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲

Gambhir praised Henry's disciplined bowling, highlighting his ability to consistently attack the stumps while threatening both edges of the bat.

"He got Rohit in the slips and then got Virat and Shreyas beaten on the inside edge. That is something we need to learn, how consistently we can hit the stumps and keep hitting those pads as well," he said.

The Indian coach acknowledged that dropped catches had compounded the team's problems, particularly the opportunities handed to New Zealand centurion Will Young, who went on to score 125.

"He got those two chances and made the most of it. Things could have been a lot different, but there's always hindsight to what you do. We dropped catches, no one else did. So we had to pay for it," Gambhir admitted.

𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗵𝗶𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀

Despite the heavy defeat, Gambhir defended India's inexperienced pace attack, saying the players would benefit from competing in unfamiliar conditions.

"I feel proud of everyone. Good days will pass, bad days will pass as well. There will be days like this, because this is what you learn from," he said.

The head coach acknowledged that managing an inexperienced bowling attack in overseas conditions could be challenging for both the captain and support staff.

He also explained the decision to field a wrist-spinner instead of Mohammed Siraj, saying the team management believed a spinner would be more effective on the larger ground and offer an attacking option during the middle overs.

𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿

Addressing questions about the batting combination, Gambhir said India were seeking continuity while providing players opportunities in different positions.

He explained that Ruturaj Gaikwad was preferred at the top of the order because of his greater experience as an opener compared with Ishan Kishan.

Despite the emphatic defeat, Gambhir expressed confidence in the team's ability to recover in the series decider.

"I'm sure the guys will turn up. It's important that they're hurting. I always believe that people should be hurting in the dressing room when you have this kind of a performance. If you're hurting, then obviously we can come back really strong," he said.