Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane expressed immense satisfaction with India's clinical performance, which led to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third One-Day International at Vadodara's Reliance Stadium. The win on January 12, 2026, sealed a dominant 3-0 series whitewash for the hosts, showcasing their depth and resilience even without regular skipper Rohit Sharma.
A Complete Team Performance in Vadodara
Rahane, leading the side in Rohit Sharma's absence, was quick to highlight the collective effort. The Indian bowlers set the tone by restricting a strong New Zealand batting lineup to a modest total of 251 runs. Rahane specifically praised the bowling unit for executing their plans perfectly on a good batting surface, creating consistent pressure that led to wickets at regular intervals.
The batting chase was then anchored by a magnificent century from the in-form Shubman Gill, who remained unbeaten on 112. He received solid support from Rahane himself, who contributed a valuable 39, and a blistering finish from Suryakumar Yadav, who smashed 40 off just 24 balls. The target was chased down with more than 10 overs to spare, underlining the dominance of the Indian side.
Rahane's Leadership and Praise for Pandya
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rahane deflected personal praise onto his teammates. He emphasized that the victory was built on the foundation laid by the bowlers and the brilliant batting display. "It was a complete team performance," Rahane stated, acknowledging the contributions from every department.
He also took a moment to commend vice-captain Hardik Pandya for his instrumental role both on and off the field. "Hardik's presence is always crucial. His experience and calm demeanor in the middle overs, both with ball and bat, provide great balance to the side," Rahane noted, highlighting the all-rounder's value beyond just his statistics.
Looking Ahead: Building Momentum for Future Challenges
The comprehensive series win serves as a significant confidence booster for the Indian team. Rahane pointed out that such commanding performances, especially with key players resting, demonstrate the healthy competition for places within the squad. The ability of players to step up when given opportunity bodes well for the team's long-term schedule.
The whitewash against a top side like New Zealand sends a strong message to the cricketing world about India's bench strength. With major tournaments on the horizon, this series has allowed the team management to test combinations and has given fringe players valuable game time under pressure. Rahane concluded by stating that the team will look to carry this positive momentum and winning habit into their upcoming fixtures.
The victory in Vadodara was not just about winning a match or series; it was a statement of intent from a well-oiled Indian cricket machine, capable of adapting and excelling under any leadership.
