New Zealand scripted history by clinching their first-ever ODI series win on Indian soil, defeating the hosts by 41 runs despite Virat Kohli’s magnificent 124.
After India won the opener and New Zealand leveled in the second match, the finale delivered a thriller as Daryl Mitchell (137*) and Glenn Phillips (106) forged a match-defining 219-run partnership that propelled the visitors to 337-8. Kohli’s vintage 54th ODI century and Harshit Rana’s maiden fifty kept India in the hunt, but the target proved just beyond reach as the hosts were bowled out for 296.
| Innings | Team | Score | Top Batsman | Top Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Innings | New Zealand | 337-8 (50 overs) | Daryl Mitchell 137* (131) | Harshit Rana 3-84 |
| Glenn Phillips 106 (88) | Arshdeep Singh 3-63 | |||
| 2nd Innings | India | 296 all out (45.6 overs) | Virat Kohli 124 (108) | Kristian Clarke 3-54 |
| Harshit Rana 52 (43) | Jayden Lennox 2-42 |
New Zealand Reduced to 11-2 Before Powerplay
Electing to bowl first, India struck early, reducing New Zealand to a precarious 11-2 within the powerplay. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Henry Nicholls for a golden duck in the very first over, while Harshit Rana continued his dominance over Devon Conway, claiming him for just 5 runs, his third consecutive dismissal of the left-hander in the series.
Mitchell’s 137 And Phillips’ 106 Power 219-Run Stand
What followed was a masterclass in ODI batting. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips combined for a magnificent 219-run partnership, the second-highest for New Zealand against India in ODIs. Mitchell, who had been in sensational form throughout the series with scores of 130, 134, 63, 84, and 131*, crafted yet another brilliant century, his fourth ODI hundred against India in India. He remained unbeaten on 137 off 131 balls, accumulating a staggering 352 runs in the three-match series.
Phillips complemented Mitchell perfectly, showing remarkable composure after taking 37 balls to score his first boundary. He accelerated brilliantly to reach his second ODI century off just 83 balls, finishing with 106 off 88 deliveries. Captain Michael Bracewell’s explosive cameo of 28 off 18 balls in the death overs propelled New Zealand to a commanding 337-8.
Kohli’s 124 Off 108: 54th ODI Century Not Enough
Chasing 338, India lost both openers cheaply before Virat Kohli launched a spectacular counterattack. The maestro was at his vintage best, bringing up his 54th ODI century, his 85th international hundred, and seventh against New Zealand. After enduring a lean patch, Kohli showed why he remains the ultimate chase master, keeping India’s hopes alive with a magnificent 124 off 108 balls studded with 10 fours and 3 sixes.
Harshit Rana’s Brave Effort
Harshit Rana provided crucial support with a gutsy 52 off 43 balls, his maiden ODI fifty that sent the Indore crowd into raptures. The young all-rounder’s fearless hitting kept India in the contest, adding 88 runs with Kohli.
However, once both Kohli and Rana fell in quick succession during the 44th over, India’s resistance crumbled. The hosts were eventually bowled out for 296 in 45.6 overs, falling 41 runs short despite Kohli’s heroics.
New Zealand’s historic 2-1 series triumph marks a watershed moment in their cricketing rivalry with India.
