New Zealand scripted history by defeating India by 41 runs in the third ODI of the three-match series at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Just over a year after winning their first Test series in India, New Zealand achieved another major milestone. With this victory, they won an ODI series on Indian soil for the first time.
New Zealand posted 337 for 8 in their 50 overs, powered by superb centuries from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips. Arshdeep Singh, who finished with figures of 3 for 63 in 10 overs, was India’s most successful bowler. Harshit Rana also claimed three wickets but was expensive.
In reply, India lost early wickets. Despite a brilliant century from Virat Kohli, the hosts fell short by 41 runs. Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy also scored half-centuries in the chase.
For New Zealand, Kristian Clarke was the most successful bowler, returning figures of 3 for 54 in nine overs, while Zakary Foulkes also picked up three wickets.
Mitchell and Phillips Lay the Foundation
Once again, Daryl Mitchell proved to be India’s biggest problem. He scored his second century of the series, adding to an already impressive record against India. This was his fourth hundred against them, and remarkably, his fourth on Indian pitches.
Mitchell found strong support from Glenn Phillips. The pair came together when New Zealand were 58 for 3 and built a massive fourth-wicket partnership of 219 runs. Phillips played a bold knock, scoring 106 off just 88 balls. Their stand lifted New Zealand to a commanding total of 337.
Mitchell Sets the Tone Against Spin
Mitchell made his intentions clear early. He stepped out to Kuldeep’s very first delivery and smashed him straight down the ground for six. From there, New Zealand’s batters gave the spinners no breathing space.
India delayed bringing Jadeja into the attack until the 30th over. Instead, they relied on Reddy’s medium pace. He started well, conceding just 17 runs in his first four overs, bowling straight with the keeper up. But he was kept on for too long and leaked 36 runs in his final four overs.
Partnership Shifts Gears With Ease
As India searched for wickets in the middle overs, Mitchell and Phillips changed tempo smoothly. The first 70 runs of their partnership took 89 balls. After that, they added 149 runs in just 99 deliveries.
Mitchell looked in complete control, timing the ball beautifully and attacking spinners from all positions, whether stepping out or playing deep in the crease. Phillips, with quick hands and clean hitting, surged from 21 off 36 balls to reach his second ODI century in only 83 balls.
Siraj Shines at the Death
New Zealand appeared set for a total beyond 350 at one stage. However, India struck back late. Mohammed Siraj bowled an exceptional spell, using his wobble seam effectively and mixing good-length deliveries with sharp yorkers and bouncers. He finished with impressive figures of 0 for 43 from ten overs.
Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana were more expensive but picked up three wickets each, helping restrict New Zealand to 337.
India Stumble Early in the Chase
Defending 337, New Zealand’s bowlers made early inroads. India slipped to 71 for 4, putting the chase under immediate pressure. The task looked even tougher with Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya unavailable, and doubts surrounding India’s lower-middle order from No. 6 onwards.
Still, India had Virat Kohli at the crease, and as long as he was batting, belief remained.
Kohli’s Masterclass Keeps India Alive
Kohli produced another outstanding innings, scoring his 54th ODI century. He also guided two young seam-bowling allrounders, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana, both of whom registered their maiden ODI half-centuries.
However, the target was demanding. India needed to take risks, and Kohli eventually fell short. This was only the fifth time he failed to finish a chase after reaching a hundred in ODIs.
Three Clear Phases in Kohli’s Innings
Kohli’s knock unfolded in three distinct stages.
In the opening phase, he played with urgency. He attacked the fast bowlers early, hitting four boundaries and a six in his first 24 balls.
The second phase was about repair work. As wickets fell around him, Kohli shifted gears. He focused on rotating strike and rebuilding the innings, scoring 47 runs with just one boundary in a stretch of 52 balls.
The final phase was explosive. After Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja were dismissed within 28 balls, India needed 160 runs at close to nine an over. Kohli responded by accelerating sharply. He raced from 74 off 76 balls to his century in just 91 deliveries. At the other end, Rana played fearlessly, reaching his fifty in only 41 balls.
Collapse at the End Ends the Chase
Rana’s dismissal left India needing 61 runs from 38 balls, placing the entire burden on Kohli. He continued to fight, reducing the equation to 46 off 27 balls. But when he became the ninth wicket to fall, India’s hopes ended with him.
New Zealand Bowlers Deliver as a Unit
New Zealand’s bowlers contributed at different stages. Kyle Jamieson used the slightly older ball well, moving it both ways and removing a dangerous Shubman Gill with a sharp in-ducker.
Jayden Lennox, playing only his second ODI, impressed on a ground known to be tough for spinners. He bowled with control, varied his pace smartly, and finished with figures of 2 for 42 from ten overs.
Zak Foulkes and Kristian Clarke were expensive but took three wickets each. Glenn Phillips also chipped in, bowling eight economical overs while captain Michael Bracewell was off the field.
Spin Battle Tilts New Zealand’s Way
Lennox and Phillips together conceded just 96 runs in 18 overs. In contrast, India’s main spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, bowled only six overs each and gave away 89 runs combined.
Once again, New Zealand’s spinners outperformed India’s, largely because of how well their batters handled Kuldeep and Jadeja.
A Winning Total Despite Kohli’s Best Effort
Given Indore’s reputation for high-scoring games, with only Trent Bridge and Wankhede Stadium producing more 380-plus ODI totals than the Holkar Stadium, 337 seemed chaseable at the halfway mark.
In the end, it proved too much, even with Virat Kohli producing another memorable innings. New Zealand’s all-round performance ensured a historic series victory.