New Zealand achieved a historic ODI series victory in India, triumphing by 41 runs against the home team. This marks the first time the Black Caps have won an ODI series on Indian soil, thanks to significant contributions from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips.
After a shaky start, where New Zealand was reduced to 5-2 and 58-3, Mitchell and Phillips formed a formidable partnership that propelled the team to a total of 337-8. This fourth-wicket stand amounted to 219 runs, with Mitchell scoring an impressive 137 runs and Phillips contributing 106 off just 88 balls.
In response, India was bowled out for 296 in 46 overs, despite a valiant effort from Virat Kohli, who struck his 54th ODI century. He scored 124 runs but could not lead his team to victory. The series concluded with New Zealand taking the three-match contest 2-1.
Kohli’s performance stood out as he had a solid partnership of 99 runs with Harshit Rana, who also played a crucial role with his knock of 52. However, India’s innings struggled to recover from an early collapse, which saw them at 71-4. Following this, Kohli formed a partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy, who added 53 runs to the total.
On the bowling front, New Zealand’s Jayden Lennox made an impact with figures of 2-42 from his 10 overs despite being a bowler short after captain Michael Bracewell left the field due to a calf injury. Zak Foulkes and Kristian Clarke each took three wickets to further destabilize the Indian lineup.
Mitchell’s performance continued to be pivotal for New Zealand after his match-winning 131 in the previous ODI, showcasing his ability to contribute significantly under pressure. He reached his ninth ODI century with a single off Ravindra Jadeja, solidifying his place as a key player in the series.
The match ended with New Zealand wobbling briefly but still managing a solid total, complemented by Bracewell’s quick 28 runs off 18 balls. Looking ahead, both teams will shift their focus to a series of five T20 matches in preparation for the T20 World Cup scheduled between February 7 and March 8, hosted by India and Sri Lanka.