After being omitted from the India squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, Team India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill returned to the national side with renewed confidence and energy to deliver his best in the ODI series against New Zealand. In the series opener, Gill scored 56, his first 50+score across formats since his 129-run innings in a Test match against West Indies in Delhi. His knock, alongside Virat Kohli’s 93, was instrumental in India’s four-wicket win in Vadodara ODI.
India’s ODI captain continued his fine in the Rajkot match, playing an impactful innings of 56 off 53 balls, including nine and a six, guiding Team India to a respectable total before New Zealand chased down the 285-run target. However, Shubman Gill’s two consecutive fifties showcased his return to form, but they were not enough for India to secure a victory in the Rajkot ODI.