Shubman Gill Defends Rohit Sharma’s Low Returns vs New Zealand: You Can’t Always Convert Starts

India captain Shubman Gill came to the defense of veteran opener Rohit Sharma after a below-par showing in the three-match ODI Series against New Zealand. Rohit scored a total of 61 runs in three innings at an average of 20.33, with a strike rate of 76.25 — significantly lower than his usual high standards.

The seasoned opener struggled to establish momentum, particularly in the series-deciding third ODI in Indore, where he managed just 11 runs off 13 balls. India was chasing a challenging target of 338, but ultimately fell short by 42 runs, allowing New Zealand to secure their first-ever ODI series win on Indian soil.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Gill emphasized that converting starts at the international level is never guaranteed. “I believe he has been in excellent form throughout both the South Africa series and the Australia series. You won’t always be able to convert the starts you get,” Gill said. “As a batter, you always want to turn starts into hundreds, but it’s not possible every time.”

IND vs NZ Third ODI Highlights

Rohit entered the New Zealand series in strong form, having won Player of the Series in Australia after scoring 202 runs in three innings. Against South Africa, he also performed well, scoring 146 runs in three innings, including two half-centuries.

Despite the setback in New Zealand, Rohit will aim to bounce back ahead of India’s next ODI series scheduled for June 2026. However, the veteran opener faces increasing competition from young talent, with Yashasvi Jaiswal already making waves after scoring a century against South Africa in the third ODI.