5 times India lost an ODI series after winning the opening game

India suffered an ODI series defeat against New Zealand at home for the first time in January 2026.

“Well begun is half done”– this proverb does not apply in cricket. Even if a team start a campaign on a winning note, they can face a setback if they become complacent in the following games. Over the years, Indian Cricket Team have registered many comebacks after losing the opening games across formats.

On a few occasions, they commenced a series on a winning note, however, failed to steal the tag of champions in the end. In the last two decades, there have been five occasions when India failed to win an ODI series despite winning the opening game.

These series serve as reminders that early advantage doesn’t always guarantee ultimate success. On that note, below are 5 instances when India lost an ODI series after winning the first game.

5 times India lost an ODI series after winning the opening game

5. West Indies vs India: 4-1 (July 2006)

Under Rahul Dravid’s captaincy, India toured West Indies for an ODI series in May 2006, where both teams squared off in five games. With a match-winning century by Rahul Dravid, the Men in Blue won the first ODI to commence the campaign on a winning note.

However, the hosts handed them shocking defeats in the next four games in a row, winning the series by a 4-1 margin. Led by Brian Lara, West Indies won the second and third games by one run and four wickets respectively.

Later, they also outplayed India in the fourth and fifth ODIs by six wickets and 19 runs. Ramnaresh Sarwan (273) and Chris Gayle (260) played a key role in West Indies’ victory, finishing as the leading run-scorers in the campaign.

4. England vs India: 2-1 (July 2018)

In 2018, India toured England for a multi-format series, where both sides locked horns in three T20Is, three ODIs, and five tests. The Virat Kohli & Co. won the opening ODI game like a walk in the park, chasing down a 269-run target by eight wickets.

However, Joe Root smacked centuries in the next two games, driving England to back-to-back victories by 86 runs and eight wickets. Root was also adjudged Player of the Series for his impeccable performance.

3. India vs Australia: 3-2 (March 2019)

Australia toured India for a white-ball series in February and March 2019. During the campaign, both sides clashed in five ODI games after a two-match T20I series. The Men in Blue commenced the series with back-to-back victories in the first two matches by six wickets and 8 runs respectively.

However, the Aaron Finch & Co. made an impeccable comeback in the next three games. Crushing the hosts in last three matches, they snatched the series to stun India. Usman Khawaja played a pivotal role in Australia’s victories, smacking two centuries and one fifty in the last three encounters.

2. India vs Australia: 2-1 (March 2023)

In March 2023, India once again suffered a huge setback in the ODI series against Australia despite making a positive start. Hardik Pandya led the team to victory in the first ODI by five wickets at Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai) in captain Rohit Sharma’s absence.

However, Australia made a stunning comeback in the second ODI with a victory by 10 wickets, where Rohit returned as the skipper. In the series-decider third game in Chennai, India looked favourites to win with a 270-run target in front of them.

However, spinner Adam Zampa’s four-wicket haul dismantled their batting unit and they were eventually bowled out for 248 runs.

1. India vs New Zealand: 2-1 (January 2026)

India locked horns with New Zealand in a three-match ODI series in January 2026, which was their first assignment of 2026. With Virat Kohli’s 93, the hosts captured a victory by four wickets in the first ODI.

However, the Black Caps made a stunning comeback in the next two games, crushing the hosts by seven wickets and 41 runs respectively. Daryl Mitchell, who hammered back-to-back centuries in the last two matches, emerged as New Zealand’s hero in the campaign.

Despite lacking many of their key members including captain Mitchell Santner, the Kiwis stunned the Men in Blue by winning their first-ever ODI series in India.

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