New Zealand overcame a fighting ton from Virat Kohli to beat India by 41 runs in the third one-day international at the Holkar Stadium on Sunday, sealing a historic 2-1 series victory — their first-ever ODI series win on Indian soil.
Chasing 338, India were bowled out for 296 in 46 overs despite Kohli’s 124 off 108 balls, his 54th ODI hundred. India’s chase faltered early as Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul were dismissed cheaply, leaving the hosts struggling at 71 for 4. Kohli added 88 runs for the fifth wicket with Nitish Kumar Reddy (53), while Harshit Rana struck a late 52, but the target proved beyond reach. Kyle Jamieson and Zakary Foulkes claimed three wickets.
Earlier, Daryl Mitchell (137) and Glenn Phillips (106) powered New Zealand to 337 for eight after they were reduced to 58 for three. The pair added 219 runs for the fourth wicket, with Mitchell registering his fourth ODI century against India and Phillips accelerating after a slow start to reach his hundred off 83 balls. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana took three wickets apiece, but late contributions from Michael Bracewell (28 not out) and Kristian Clarke lifted New Zealand past 330.
The victory completes a landmark series for New Zealand, who bounced back after losing the opening match to script a rare bilateral ODI triumph in India.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 337/8 (Daryl Mitchell 137, Glenn Phillips 106)
India 296 all out (Virat Kohli 124)
New Zealand won by 41 runs
