Just over a year after scripting history with their first-ever Test series win in India, New Zealand have now achieved an even rarer feat, winning their first-ever ODI series in India. Despite arriving with an injury-hit squad, the visitors have bounced back from a 1-0 deficit to take the three-match series 2-1, sealing the decider in Indore.
Victory in the IND vs NZ 3rd ODI was extra special as it handed India their first defeat in 14 home ODIs after winning the toss, outlining the magnitude of New Zealand’s achievement.
Mitchell and Phillips Lay the Perfect Foundation
Daryl Mitchell has proved to be trouble for the Indian team once again. He continued his dream run by scoring his second century of this series, his fourth ODI hundred against India, and his fourth on Indian soil.
Glenn Phillips, joining Mitchell for New Zealand at 58 for 3, produced a breathtaking innings of 106 off 88 balls. With this, both of them added a dominating 219-run fourth-wicket partnership, which completely turned the game in favour of New Zealand.
Their alliance grew quickly: the first 70 were constructed tentatively, but the following 149 were plundered at incredible velocity, leaving India groping for answers.
India’s Bowling: Siraj Shines Amid Middle-Overs Struggles
Again, the Indian spinners were not able to impose themselves. Even the overs bowled by Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja were only six, and they conceded 89 runs to the New Zealand batsmen, who went after them fiercely.
Mohammed Siraj bowled an exemplary spell of 0-43 from 10 overs with wobble seam, yorkers, and bouncers towards the end to restrict the scoring of the New Zealand team. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana got three wickets each to hold the innings under 350. However, on this high-scoring surface in Indore, where scores of 337 would certainly be chaseable, New Zealand had set up a tricky target.
India’s Chase: Kohli’s Masterclass Keeps Hope Alive
Chasing 337, India faltered early, losing their way to 71 for 4. It seemed a mountain to climb without the support of Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, not to forget the weak lower-order batting.
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And then came Virat Kohli, the ex-captain scored a great knock, reaching the 54th century of his ODI cricketing career. His innings consisted of three different phases:
- Aggressive opening, attacking the fast bowlers early
- Measured rebuilding: Stabilizing the innings at a time when wickets are
- Explosive finish, as the required rate soared
Turning Point: Kohli Falls Short
This put a lot of pressure on them as they needed 61 more runs in 38 balls. Kohli’s wicket brought the total responsibility on Yuvraj Singh Kohli.
Kohli brought the total down to 46 runs in 27 balls but got out as the ninth wicket, unable to clinch yet another legendary chase only the fifth time that Kohli has fallen while chasing while scoring 29 ODI centuries. The Indian team was ultimately bowled out, and this resulted in a famous victory for the New Zealand team.
New Zealand Bowlers Deliver as a Unit
The New Zealand bowlers shared the spoils:
- Kyle Jamieson picked crucial wickets of top-order batsmen, including a prolific Shubman Gill
- Jayden Lennox was effective in just his second ODI appearance, ending up with 2 for 42.
- Zak Foulkes and Kristian Clarke picked three wickets each
- Glenn Phillips performed an economic spell with his bowling, which also doubled up with off-spin.
Their combined efforts ensured that India never fully seized the initiative in the chase.
IND vs NZ 3rd ODI: A Landmark Moment
The Holkar Stadium is known to provide matches with massive scoring, and since only Trent Bridge and Wankhede have hosted more 380+ ODIs, scoring 337 seemed quite competitive. However, it turned out to be more than enough.
Despite Virat Kohli’s heroic ton, the night belonged to the New Zealand side, which played better than India in the crucial situations and again proved how dominant they have become in the Indian conditions.
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