Daijiworld Media Network - Indore
Indore, Jan 18: New Zealand carved their name into the history books on Sunday, overcoming a defiant century from Virat Kohli to defeat India by 41 runs in the series-deciding third ODI at the Holkar Stadium, sealing a landmark 2–1 series triumph on Indian soil.
Powered by magnificent centuries from Daryl Mitchell (137) and Glenn Phillips (106), the visitors posted an imposing 337 for 8 on a sluggish black-soil surface. The total proved beyond India despite Kohli’s resolute 124 off 108 balls, as New Zealand’s bowlers held their composure to dismiss the hosts for 296 in 46 overs. Kyle Jamieson and Zakary Foulkes led the bowling effort with three wickets apiece, completing New Zealand’s first-ever bilateral ODI series victory in India after having trailed 1–0.
India’s pursuit unravelled early. Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul fell cheaply, leaving the home side tottering at 71 for 4. Kohli and Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) steadied the innings with a spirited 88-run stand, reviving faint hopes of a comeback. Later, Harshit Rana’s brisk 52 off 43 balls injected urgency, but the asking rate continued to climb, and the target remained out of reach — marking India’s fifth home ODI series defeat since 2010.
The chase began at a lively pace, with India racing to 28 in the opening three overs, before Zakary Foulkes dismissed Rohit Sharma in the fourth. Jamieson then struck a decisive blow, sending Gill’s stumps flying with a sharp nip-backer. Kohli counter-attacked with crisp boundaries, but support was scarce as Iyer and Rahul departed in quick succession.
Assuming full control, Kohli brought up his half-century in 51 balls, showcasing trademark timing and placement. Reddy played the ideal foil, striking freely and reaching his maiden ODI fifty with a powerful slog-sweep off Phillips. Their partnership ended when Reddy mistimed a pull off Kristian Clarke, and Ravindra Jadeja soon followed, unable to clear the boundary.
Kohli responded with a flurry of boundaries and reached his 54th ODI hundred in 91 deliveries, igniting the crowd. He even took Jamieson apart for consecutive sixes, while Rana matched him stroke for stroke, racing to his maiden ODI half-century. However, Rana’s dismissal and a quick strike by Foulkes left India needing 61 from 37 balls. Kohli briefly kept the contest alive, but his mistimed loft to long-off ended the resistance. A run-out soon after sealed India’s fate and confirmed New Zealand’s historic achievement.
Earlier, New Zealand recovered from a shaky start at 58 for 3, with Mitchell and Phillips orchestrating a dominant 219-run partnership. Mitchell, reprieved early, made full use of the chance to register his fourth ODI hundred against India, breaking records for most runs in a three-match ODI series against them. Phillips, after a cautious beginning, accelerated superbly to a fluent century.
Despite late strikes from India’s bowlers, including Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj, cameo contributions from captain Michael Bracewell and others pushed New Zealand past the 330 mark. The total ultimately proved decisive, as the visitors capped a memorable tour with a historic series win, adding to their growing reputation as formidable travellers.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 337/8 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 137, Glenn Phillips 106; Arshdeep Singh 3-63, Harshit Rana 3-84)
India 296 all out in 46 overs (Virat Kohli 124, Nitish Kumar Reddy 53, Harshit Rana 52; Kristian Clarke 3-54, Zakary Foulkes 3-77)
New Zealand won by 41 runs.