Delhi: The third and decisive match of the three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand was played on Sunday, 18 January 2026 at Holkar Stadium, Indore. In this match, New Zealand defeated India by 41 runs and won the series 2-1. India faced a tough challenge while chasing the target and despite excellent individual performance, the team remained away from victory. Kiwi team has won the ODI series for the first time in India.

Series decided in Indore

After losing the toss and opting to bat first, the New Zealand team scored a strong score of 337 runs after losing 8 wickets in 50 overs. In reply, the Indian team could score only 296 runs in 46 overs and had to face defeat by 41 runs. With this defeat, India missed the chance to win the series.

Kohli’s century, but no victory

While chasing the target, Virat Kohli’s performance was the best in the Indian innings. Batting at number four, he scored 124 runs in 108 balls. Both speed and control were seen in his innings. Apart from Kohli, Nitish Kumar Reddy made an important contribution of 53 runs in 57 balls and Harshit Rana made an important contribution of 52 runs in 43 balls. However, despite these innings the Indian team could not reach the target.

Mitchell and Phillips laid a strong foundation

New Zealand’s innings had a bad start. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana had sent both the openers to the pavilion with a total score of 5 runs. After this, Will Young and Darryl Mitchell tried to handle the innings by making a half-century partnership for the third wicket, but this partnership also could not last long.

After this, Mitchell and Glenn Phillips took over the innings completely, putting pressure on the Indian bowlers. Both the batsmen scored runs in every part of the ground and made a big partnership of 219 runs in 186 balls for the fourth wicket. This partnership laid the foundation for New Zealand to reach a score of more than 300.

centuries from both batsmen

Mitchell scored his second consecutive century, while Phillips completed his first ODI century against India. Phillips scored 106 runs in 88 balls with the help of 9 fours and 3 sixes. At the same time, Mitchell played a brilliant inning of 137 runs in 131 balls, hitting 15 fours and 3 sixes.

Arshdeep Singh broke this partnership by dismissing Phillips first, while Mohammed Siraj later sent Mitchell to the pavilion. After both the set batsmen were out, it seemed that New Zealand would not be able to reach around 350, but Michael Bracewell took the score to 337 by scoring 28 runs in 18 balls.

In this way, New Zealand demonstrated better batting in the decisive match and defeated India and won the series.