Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s historic triumph on Indian soil with their brilliant centuries.
India’s hopes remained alive as long as Virat Kohli stayed at the crease. But when the batting great was caught at long-off off Christian Clarke’s delivery, India’s hopes were virtually extinguished. One ball later, Kuldeep Yadav’s dismissal sealed the historic series victory for New Zealand.
In the series-deciding third and final ODI in Indore on Sunday, the Kiwis won by 41 runs. Mitchell and Phillips powered New Zealand to a total of 337, with India restricted to 296.
Before this, New Zealand had played seven bilateral ODI series in India and lost all of them. This 2-1 series win marks a historic first for them in India.
After having won their first Test series in India in 2024, New Zealand has now tasted similar success in the ODI format just two years later.
Mitchell and Phillips laid the foundation for the win. Mitchell’s consecutive century featured 3 sixes and 15 fours, scoring 137 runs to earn the Player of the Match award. Phillips scored 106 off 88 balls with 3 sixes and 9 fours for his second ODI century.
Thanks to their masterful batting, New Zealand witnessed paired centuries against India in an ODI for the first time. Overall, such a feat has occurred only 15 times in their ODI history.
Mitchell had already been in sensational form, scoring 83 in the first ODI and an unbeaten 131 in the second, bringing his series tally to 352—the highest by a New Zealand batsman in the three-match bilateral series. There was little doubt about who would be the series’ standout performer.
Chasing a big total, India’s top and middle order struggled, leaving Kohli to carry the team’s hopes. Supported by Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana, Kohli fought hard. Needing 46 off 27 balls, his dismissal shattered India’s dreams. Kohli finished with 124 off 108 balls, including 3 sixes and 10 fours, leaving the field disappointed.
New Zealand’s innings did not start smoothly. At Holkar Stadium, they lost both openers in the first seven balls. Henry Nicholls was bowled on the fourth delivery, followed by Devon Conway caught at slip on the first ball of the next over.
Will Young and Mitchell steadied the innings with a 53-run partnership, before Harshit broke it. Mitchell and Phillips then took charge, accelerating the score. Mitchell reached his fifty off 56 balls, while Phillips quickly brought up his fifty in 53 balls. Phillips soon followed Mitchell to a century in just 83 balls, taking only 30 balls to go from fifty to hundred.
Phillips was eventually dismissed caught behind off Arshdeep, ending a 219-run partnership—New Zealand’s second-highest for any wicket against India. Mitchell crossed his previous career-best of 134 with two fours in one over before being caught the next over. Captain Michael Bracewell finished unbeaten on 28 off 18 balls, taking the team close to 350.
Chasing a massive target, India’s openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill fell cheaply in the powerplay. Shreyas Iyer and Lokesh Rahul also failed to anchor the innings.
Kohli and Nitish Kumar steadied India at 71/4. Kohli reached fifty off 51 balls, while Nitish’s fifty came off 52. They added 88 runs for the fifth wicket before Clarke broke the partnership. Ravindra Jadeja was dismissed by left-arm spinner Jaiden Lennox, and Harshit and Kohli then batted aggressively, briefly keeping India’s hopes alive.
Kohli reached his 54th ODI century in 91 balls, bringing his total international centuries to 85, behind only the legend Sachin Tendulkar, who has 100.
After Kohli’s dismissal in the final overs, New Zealand wrapped up the win with some late wickets, including a direct hit run-out by Phillips to dismiss Kuldeep. The Kiwis celebrated an unforgettable series victory.
The two teams will now begin their five-match T20 series on Wednesday.
Brief Scores
- New Zealand: 337/8 in 50 overs (Conway 5, Nicholls 0, Young 30, Mitchell 137, Phillips 106, Bracewell 28*, He 2, Fox 10, Clarke 11, Jamieson 0*; Arshdeep 10-1-63-3, Harshit 10-0-84-3, Siraj 10-0-43-1, Nitish 8-0-53-0, Kuldeep 6-0-48-1, Jadeja 6-0-41-0)
- India: 296 in 46 overs (Rohit 11, Gill 23, Kohli 124, Shreyas 3, Rahul 1, Nitish 53, Jadeja 12, Harshit 52, Siraj 0, Kuldeep 5, Arshdeep 4*; Jamieson 9-0-58-1, Fox 9-0-77-3, Clarke 9-0-54-3, Lennox 10-0-42-2, Mitchell 1-0-10-0, Phillips 8-0-54-0)
Result: New Zealand won by 41 runs
Player of the Match: Daryl Mitchell
Series Result: New Zealand wins 2-1
Player of the Series: Daryl Mitchell
