New Zealand defeated India by 41 runs in the third and deciding ODI on Sunday in Indore, securing their first-ever bilateral series win on Indian soil [[1]]. Despite a valiant century from Virat Kohli – his 54th in the format – the Black Caps proved too strong, capitalizing on a crucial partnership from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips [[2]],[[3]]. The victory marks a significant turnaround for New zealand, who entered the match with a 1-1 series record and had previously lost all seven ODI series played in India dating back to 1988.
New Zealand secured a historic first-ever ODI series victory on Indian soil on Sunday, overcoming a masterful 124 from Virat Kohli to defeat India by 41 runs in Indore. The result marks a significant milestone for the Black Caps, who had previously lost all seven ODI series played in India dating back to 1988.
The match saw Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips forge a crucial fourth-wicket partnership of 219 runs, rescuing New Zealand after early setbacks left them reeling at 5-2 and later 58-3.
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Mitchell continued his impressive recent form, adding another stellar century to his international career with a score of 137. Phillips was equally impactful, blasting 106 off just 88 balls.
Despite Kohli’s 54th ODI century, India were ultimately bowled out for 296 in 46 overs, handing New Zealand a 2-1 series win. Kohli’s valiant effort came after a 99-run seventh-wicket stand with Harshit Rana, who contributed 52 runs.
New Zealand’s triumph comes on the heels of their historic 3-0 Test series win in India last October, demonstrating their growing strength on the subcontinent. The Black Caps achieved this victory despite being without key players including Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra and Jacob Duffy.
“We’re the sum of all the parts and we really try to work together as a group – that’s part of the Kiwi way,” captain Michael Bracewell said. “We’re just a small country from the bottom of the world and we try to work together to take on some of the bigger countries in the world.” He added: “We really rally around there as a group and when things come like that, it’s pretty special.”
India, currently ranked as the top ODI side with a population of 1.4 billion, were unable to overcome New Zealand’s determined performance.
Left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox impressed with figures of 2-42 from his 10 overs, stepping up after Bracewell was forced to leave the field with a calf injury, leaving New Zealand a bowler short. Zak Foulkes and Kristian Clarke each claimed three wickets to dismantle the Indian batting lineup.
India had earlier struggled to 71-4 before Kohli and Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) added 88 runs for the fifth wicket, followed by the partnership with Rana.
“The way Virat is batting, that’s definitely a plus always,” said India captain Shubman Gill. “The way Harshit has batted in the series, batting at number eight, it’s not easy.”
Kohli’s innings featured 10 fours and three sixes, spanning 108 balls, and was met with a standing ovation from the crowd as he reached his 85th international century.
Earlier, Mitchell continued his excellent form, building on his match-winning 131 not out in the second ODI, which leveled the series. He reached his ninth ODI century with a single off Ravindra Jadeja, before Phillips also reached three figures.
Arshdeep Singh eventually dismissed Phillips caught behind, ending the marathon stand, and Mitchell soon followed, falling to Mohammed Siraj.
Mitchell was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series, having amassed an impressive 352 runs across the three matches. The right-hander has enjoyed a remarkable rise in international cricket, establishing himself as a key player after debuting relatively late in his career.
Since 2021, Mitchell has averaged 58.47 in ODI cricket with a strike rate of 95.72, notching 12 half-centuries and nine centuries. He also boasts a Test average of 43.50 with five centuries in 35 matches, placing him among the leading century-makers in the format.
New Zealand wobbled late in their innings, losing four further wickets, but Bracewell finished strongly with an unbeaten 28 off 18 balls.
The two teams will now meet in a five-match T20 series, serving as a final preparation ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on February 7 and conclude on March 8.
