New Zealand Scripts History with First ODI Series Win in India
Virat Kohli's masterful century proved insufficient as a determined New Zealand side secured a landmark 41-run victory in the third ODI at Indore's Holkar Stadium. This win gave the visitors their first-ever ODI series triumph on Indian soil, ending a 37-year wait.
Kohli's Lone Battle Ends in Disappointment
The packed stadium witnessed Kohli at his chasing best. The 37-year-old batsman crafted a magnificent 124 runs from just 108 deliveries, displaying his trademark class and composure. This marked his 54th ODI century, another milestone in his illustrious career.
However, Kohli fought a solitary battle. When he holed out to long-on in the 46th over, India's faint hopes evaporated completely. The remaining wickets fell quickly, with the team bowled out just a couple of balls after his dismissal.
The crowd began leaving long before the formalities ended, understandably disappointed despite witnessing another Kohli masterclass.
Mitchell and Phillips Power New Zealand to Commanding Total
New Zealand's victory was built on a formidable first-innings total of 337 runs. Daryl Mitchell continued his excellent form with a second consecutive match-winning hundred. He found able support from Glenn Phillips, who smashed his second ODI century.
Their partnership proved decisive on what was clearly a batting-friendly Indore pitch. The visitors showed remarkable resilience despite fielding a relatively inexperienced squad that included eight players touring India for the first time.
India's Batting Collapse Proves Costly
India's chase never gained momentum beyond Kohli's heroics. The top order collapsed disappointingly:
- Captain Shubman Gill fell early to a Kyle Jamieson delivery that breached his defense
- KL Rahul chipped a tame catch to cover off Jayden Lennox's disciplined spin
- Four batsmen were caught attempting poorly-timed leg-side heaves
There were some positive signs for India. Nitish Reddy scored a valuable half-century and shared a promising partnership with Kohli. Harshit Rana also showed his hitting ability with a late cameo. But these contributions proved too little, too late.
Bowling Inconsistency Haunts India Again
India's bowling performance was mixed at best. The new-ball pair of Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana made early breakthroughs, dismissing both New Zealand openers within the first seven overs.
Arshdeep's inclusion paid immediate dividends as he induced an edge from Henry Nicholls. Rana followed up with a beautiful delivery that sent Devon Conway back to the pavilion.
However, the momentum shifted once the ball lost its shine. Neither bowler could maintain the same threat during the middle overs. Mohammed Siraj and Nitish Reddy tried to contain the flow of runs but eventually proved expensive.
Captain Shubman Gill acknowledged New Zealand's superiority in his post-match comments. "We were a good enough side to beat them in the series," he stated, "but they just outplayed us in all departments."
A Watershed Moment for New Zealand Cricket
This series victory represents a significant achievement for New Zealand cricket. They have participated in eleven ODI series in India previously, including seven bilateral contests and four multi-nation tournaments, without securing a series win until now.
The victory is particularly impressive considering their squad composition. With many players having minimal ODI experience and several making their debut on Indian soil, the team displayed remarkable adaptability and skill.
For India, this defeat raises questions about their ODI preparations ahead of future tournaments. While individual brilliance from Kohli provided moments of excitement, the team's collective performance fell short against a resourceful and determined New Zealand side.
