Match: India vs New Zealand – 3rd ODI, Indore
Result: New Zealand won by 41 runs to clinch the series 2-1

New Zealand made history by winning their first-ever one-day international series in India, defeating the hosts by 41 runs in a thrilling decider at Indore. The victory was powered by exceptional batting from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, combined with crucial breakthroughs by the Black Caps’ bowlers.

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Mitchell and Phillips Shine as New Zealand Post 337

New Zealand batted first and faced early pressure, slipping to 58-3, but the match turned around with a sensational partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips. The duo added 219 runs off 188 balls, giving the tourists a commanding total.

• Daryl Mitchell: 137 runs off 108 balls, featuring 15 fours and 3 sixes, marking his career-high ODI score.
• Glenn Phillips: 106 runs before being dismissed by Arshdeep Singh.

The partnership provided New Zealand with momentum and stability, allowing Michael Bracewell to contribute an unbeaten 28 and push the total to 337-8 after 50 overs.

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India’s Fightback Falls Short Despite Kohli’s Heroics

India’s chase was anchored by Virat Kohli, who scored a brilliant 124 runs off 108 balls, hitting 10 fours and 3 sixes. Ruturaj Reddy supported with a valuable 53. However, despite Kohli’s 54th ODI century—extending his record in the format—the innings lacked consistent support from the rest of the batting lineup.

Crucial wickets from New Zealand bowlers, particularly Zak Foulkes, proved decisive. Foulkes struck with successive deliveries, dismissing Harshit Rana (52) and Mohammed Siraj for a duck. Soon after, Kohli was caught at long-off by Mitchell, and India were eventually bowled out for 296 in 46 overs, falling 41 runs short.

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Key Bowling Performances Seal the Series

New Zealand’s bowlers executed their plans effectively:

• Zak Foulkes: 3 wickets for 77 runs, turning the game with back-to-back breakthroughs.
• Mark Clarke: 3 wickets for 54 runs, putting pressure on India’s middle order.
• Arshdeep Singh: 3 wickets for 63 runs, including the crucial dismissal of Phillips.

The combined efforts of the bowling attack ensured that India could not recover, giving New Zealand a historic series victory on Indian soil.

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Series Overview and Significance

This victory marks a landmark achievement for New Zealand cricket, as winning an ODI series in India has long been considered a challenging feat due to the subcontinent conditions favoring spin and local expertise.

• Series Result: New Zealand 2 – India 1
• Top Performers:
  • Batting: Daryl Mitchell (137), Glenn Phillips (106), Virat Kohli (124)
  • Bowling: Zak Foulkes (3-77), Mark Clarke (3-54), Arshdeep Singh (3-63)

Mitchell’s consistent form across the series (84 in the first ODI, 131 in the second, and 137 in the decider) was pivotal, while Kohli’s brilliance with the bat highlighted India’s dependence on his experience in the 50-over format.

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Looking Ahead: T20 Series and World Cup Preparations

Following the ODI series, India and New Zealand will face off in a five-match T20 series, beginning on 21 January 2026. Both teams are gearing up for the T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, starting on 7 February 2026. Fans will be eager to see if New Zealand can carry forward their momentum from the historic ODI series win into the T20 format.

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Conclusion

New Zealand’s triumph in Indore is a testament to their resilience and adaptability in subcontinental conditions. With standout performances from Mitchell, Phillips, and key bowlers like Foulkes and Clarke, the Black Caps have not only secured a historic ODI series win but also sent a strong signal ahead of the T20 World Cup. For India, despite Virat Kohli’s stellar century, the defeat underlines the need for greater depth in batting and more consistent bowling support.