Indore, Jan 18, 2026: In a heart-wrenching finale to a three-match ODI series, India fell short by 41 runs against New Zealand at Holkar Stadium, Indore, despite a majestic 124-run innings by Virat Kohli. With this victory, New Zealand not only won the decider but also claimed their first-ever bilateral ODI series win on Indian soil, extending their recent dominance following a whitewash of India in the 2024 Test series. Both results, intriguingly, came under the coaching tenure of Gautam Gambhir.
For Kohli, it was a bittersweet night. The 37-year-old maestro reached his 54th ODI century (his 85th international hundred overall), yet the innings ended without the flourish and celebrations fans might have expected. His century, a patient and calculated display of cricketing mastery, was overshadowed by the reality that India’s total was insufficient to chase down the Kiwis’ imposing 338.
India’s Early Struggles
The Indian innings began on shaky footing. Openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill fell cheaply for 11 and 23 runs respectively, leaving Kohli to anchor the innings under mounting pressure. The middle order did not provide stability either, as Shreyas Iyer (3) and KL Rahul (1) fell quickly, compounding the early crisis. Kohli, however, showcased his signature composure, weathering the storm and slowly guiding India back into contention.
It was during this phase that Kohli found some support in Nitish Kumar Reddy, who, along with the captain, stitched a vital 88-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Reddy’s maiden ODI half-century gave India hope, but as soon as momentum began to build, he perished trying to accelerate the scoring. Ravindra Jadeja’s (12) failure to contribute further deepened India’s troubles, putting the task squarely on Kohli’s shoulders.
Kohli’s Century Under Pressure
Despite the mounting odds, Kohli’s innings was a masterclass in chasing under pressure. He reached his century off 91 balls, having carefully negotiated New Zealand’s formidable pace attack, including the likes of Kyle Jamieson and Zakary Foulkes. Unlike many of his previous centuries, this one was subdued in celebration — a quiet acknowledgment to the Indore crowd, with the rest of the team rising for a standing ovation. Even head coach Gautam Gambhir applauded from the dugout, fully aware of the effort it took to keep India in contention under such testing circumstances.
Kohli’s knock also added another feather to his cap. During the innings, he surpassed former Australian captain Ricky Ponting to register the most runs at the No.3 position in ODIs, underscoring his continued relevance and class even in the twilight of his career. This century also marked his third in the last six ODIs, highlighting a purple patch in his limited-overs form.
Late Partnerships Offer Flicker of Hope
After the fall of Jadeja, India’s innings seemed destined to falter. But Harshit Rana joined Kohli to form a 99-run partnership for the seventh wicket, bringing the crowd to its feet with a flurry of boundaries and aggressive shots. For a moment, it seemed India might pull off a remarkable chase, but the duo’s efforts were undone in the final stretch. Rana, attempting a big shot, was dismissed for 52, followed immediately by Mohammed Siraj, who departed for a duck.
With wickets tumbling at regular intervals, Kohli’s valiant effort of 124 runs could not bridge the gap. When he eventually holed out in the deep, the chase was effectively over, leaving India 41 runs short.
New Zealand’s Dominant Batting Performance
Earlier, New Zealand posted a formidable 337/8 after opting to bat. The innings was anchored by Daryl Mitchell (137)and Glenn Phillips (106), who shared a punishing 219-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Mitchell, who amassed 352 runs in the three-match series, was particularly destructive in the decider, asserting his dominance over the Indian bowling attack.
India’s bowlers made early inroads, with Arshdeep Singh and Harshit breaking through the top order to remove openers Henry Nicholls and Devon Conway. However, Mitchell and Phillips stabilized the innings, punishing any loose deliveries and ensuring New Zealand posted a challenging total. In the death overs, despite India clawing back, skipper Michael Bracewell managed to squeeze 10 crucial runs off the final two balls, pushing the Kiwis past 330.
Why Kohli’s Knock Stands Out
Virat Kohli’s innings on Sunday was a reminder of why he is still regarded as one of the greatest chase masters in cricket history. Batting under extreme pressure, with wickets falling at regular intervals, he combined patience, technique, and aggression to keep India alive. The innings featured calculated drives, elegant placement, and selective big shots, showing that even at 37, Kohli remains a benchmark for batting in high-stakes chases.
Yet, cricket is a team sport, and despite his heroics, India’s middle and lower-order collapses meant the chase never truly looked achievable. Kohli’s century became one of those rare occasions where an individual performance shines amidst a team defeat — a bittersweet testament to his enduring class and determination.
Historical Significance
With this win, New Zealand has achieved its first bilateral ODI series victory in India, building on their earlier Test series success in 2024. The result highlights New Zealand’s growing prowess in Indian conditions and their ability to execute plans under pressure. It also underscores the impact of Gautam Gambhir’s coaching across formats, having overseen two historic wins for the Kiwis against India.
For India, the loss is a reminder of the importance of a cohesive batting lineup, particularly when chasing mammoth totals. Despite Kohli’s brilliance, the lack of partnerships and lower-order contributions proved decisive in the final outcome.
Looking Ahead
The series decider has left fans reflecting on Kohli’s innings and India’s batting frailties. For Kohli, it was another chapter in a storied career, showing once again why he is celebrated as one of the best in ODI cricket. For New Zealand, it was a historic triumph that signals their ability to compete and win in conditions traditionally dominated by India.
While Kohli will rue the missed opportunity to turn his century into a match-winning performance, his knock remains a monumental individual effort — a reminder of his class, resilience, and enduring impact on the game, even when the team falls short.
Leave a Reply