New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips greet Indian gamers after New Zealand gained the second ODI cricket match in opposition to India, at Niranjan Shah Stadium, in Rajkot, Gujarat, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.
| Picture Credit score: PTI
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate says subsequent month’s T20 World Cup continues to be a “great distance” to go and the workforce’s instant focus is on the continued ODI sequence in opposition to New Zealand, which is tied 1-1 after the guests gained the second match.
Defending champions India will co-host the 20-team T20 World Cup beginning on February 7. They’re in the midst of a high-intensity ODI rubber with the series-decider slated in Indore on Sunday (January 18, 2026).
“There’s an actual likelihood that you just’re so targeted on the World Cup that you just suppose, ‘oh, these three video games this week simply comes and goes’ and we do not be taught something and we do not put our greatest foot (ahead), or we do not put our greatest performances on the market,” he mentioned after India misplaced the second ODI by seven wickets.
“Technique (clever), I am unable to see something that we have needed to skirt round when it comes to prepping for the (T20) World Cup. We’re absolutely targeted on this sequence. Each sequence is vital. Individually for these gamers, there’s lots at stake.”
“The World Cup continues to be a great distance away, however (it is about) constructing from sequence to sequence and getting in good habits, so (we’re) making an attempt to handle each and put the thrill of the T20 World Cup simply on the again burners for one more few extra days,” ten Doeschate added.
However he underlined the necessity to “defend” the gamers who’re a part of the T20 World Cup.
“We’re very cautious or acutely aware about not doing that. However on the similar time, you do need to defend the fellows who’re going to play within the T20 World Cup and you might be serious about it.”
The Indian squad has been hit by a string of accidents which have sidelined T20 World Cup-bound Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar.
Ten Doeschate mentioned there should not have been a scenario of Indian gamers not having the ability to carry out given the 2 set-ups have completely different gamers.
“You have obtained to have the ability to apply your self to each conditions. Notably with the 2 units of personnel that we now have, they’re very completely different so there isn’t any actual excuse for not specializing in this,” he mentioned.
A depleted New Zealand facet romped dwelling with seven wickets and greater than two overs to spare within the second ODI right here, a recreation during which Indian spinners have been as soon as once more outperformed.
The loss threw the highlight again on the Take a look at sequence defeat at dwelling in opposition to the identical opponent in 2024-25 and South Africa earlier this season.
“The 2 dwelling Take a look at sequence defeats damage lots,” ten Doeschate replied when requested if India are not any extra invincible at dwelling, with South Africa additionally levelling up the ODIs 1-1,” he mentioned.
“To return right into a workforce the place the house report is as impeccable because it has been for India, it is powerful to entrance as much as these two sequence losses. You are making an attempt to experiment (however) you are completely not saying it is okay to lose. However they sit slightly bit extra proper than the Take a look at match losses.
“We’re all the time making an attempt to win each recreation, with managing the medium to long-term prospects of the workforce as effectively. However yeah, it is actually one thing we have to get again to, to guys actually fearing coming in and taking part in India,” he added.
Revealed – January 15, 2026 11:17 am IST
