In a historic turn of events at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, cricket fans witnessed a monumental shift as New Zealand scripted history on Indian soil. Despite a masterclass from the “Chase Master” himself, India fell short in a high-octane series decider.
Here is the full breakdown of the match that will be remembered for New Zealand’s grit and a lonely, valiant century by Virat Kohli.
The Toss: India Chose to Field First
The final ODI of the 2026 series began with high expectations as India won the toss and decided to bowl first. Captain Shubman Gill, banking on the Holkar Stadium’s reputation for being a chasing paradise, hoped the Indian bowlers would provide early breakthroughs under the afternoon sun. While the pacers did strike early, the middle overs told a different story.
New Zealand Makes History: A First-Ever Series Win
For the first time in the history of bilateral cricket, New Zealand has won an ODI series in India. By winning this match by 41 runs, the Black Caps clinched the series 2-1. This victory breaks a decades-long jinx and cements this Kiwi squad as one of the most successful ever to tour the subcontinent.
The Twin Centurions: Mitchell & Phillips
The foundation of New Zealand’s massive total of 337/8 was built on two sensational centuries:
Daryl Mitchell: Scoring his second consecutive hundred of the series, Mitchell played a steady yet dominant knock of 137 off 131 balls.
Glenn Phillips: Returning from injury, Phillips was the aggressor, smashing 106 off 88 balls.
The duo stitched together a 219-run partnership for the fourth wicket, a record-breaking stand that rescued the visitors from a precarious 58/3.
The Indian Collapse and Kohli’s Lone Battle
Chasing 338 was always going to be a mountainous task, but the pressure became insurmountable when the Indian top order collapsed. India quickly slumped to 71/4, losing Rohit Sharma (11) and Shubman Gill (23) cheaply.
Virat Kohli’s Century Goes in Vain
Amidst the rubble, Virat Kohli stood like a titan. He notched his 54th ODI century (85th international ton), scoring a breathtaking 124 off 108 balls. It was a classic Kohli innings—full of crisp drives and calculated risks—but with wickets falling at the other end, the target slipped further away. Despite his heroics, he was eventually caught off Kristian Clarke, effectively ending India’s hopes.
Match Highlights: At a Glance
Target: 338 Runs
India’s Score: 296 All Out (46 Overs)
Best for India: Virat Kohli (124), Nitish Kumar Reddy (53), Harshit Rana (52).
Best for NZ: Daryl Mitchell (137), Glenn Phillips (106), Zak Foulkes (3/77).
The Turning Point: The 219-run stand between Mitchell and Phillips after Arshdeep Singh’s early strikes.
Lower-Order Resistance: Youngsters Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana showed immense heart with maiden fifties, but the asking rate was too steep.
Summary:
A Night of Records and Regrets While New Zealand celebrates a historic milestone, India will have to reflect on a series where individual brilliance couldn’t mask collective failures in the batting department. Virat Kohli’s 124 will go down as one of his finest knocks in a losing cause, but the night belongs to the Kiwis.