In a heartbreaking conclusion for the house followers at Indore, the heroic efforts of Virat Kohli (124) and Harshit Rana (52) proved to be in useless as New Zealand clinched their first-ever ODI collection win on Indian soil. Regardless of Kohli’s magnificent 54th ODI century and Rana’s fearless maiden fifty, India fell brief by 41 runs, ending on 296 of their pursuit of a mammoth 338. The match was outlined by New Zealand’s relentless stress and scientific execution, guaranteeing that even a legendary ‘Chase Grasp’ efficiency couldn’t forestall the historic 2-1 collection loss. As the ultimate wicket fell within the forty sixth over, the Holkar Stadium witnessed a uncommon sight: a victorious Kiwi aspect celebrating a milestone that had eluded them for many years.
Virat Kohli’s 54th ODI century and Harshit Rana’s fearless resistance: A late surge that just about shocked New Zealand
The Indian chase was a narrative of a lone warrior discovering unlikely allies within the dying levels of the match. Earlier within the innings, when India have been reeling at 71/4, teenager Nitish Kumar Reddy performed a significant position within the restoration, scoring a gritty 53 off 57 balls. Reddy’s maiden ODI fifty, celebrated together with his trademark “Pushpa” gesture, offered the preliminary spark for India, as he mixed with Kohli for an 88-run stand to stabilize the ship.
Following his departure, Rana stepped as much as be part of a set Kohli, and collectively they stitched a blistering 99-run partnership off simply 69 balls. Rana, primarily identified for his tempo, showcased his batting vary by smashing 4 fours and 4 sixes, reaching his maiden ODI fifty in simply 41 balls and momentarily silencing the Kiwi assault. On the different finish, Kohli was an image of targeted aggression, reaching his century in 91 balls and ultimately accelerating to an excellent 124.
Nevertheless, the turning level got here within the forty sixth over when Kohli, trying to clear the long-on boundary off Kristian Clarke, was caught by Daryl Mitchell. Rana had departed simply an over earlier after a valiant 52, and with the 2 set batters gone, the tail couldn’t face up to the stress. Whereas their mixed stand introduced India inside placing distance, the dearth of help from the specialists within the center order meant that Kohli’s masterclass, supported by the heroics of Reddy and Rana, in the end resulted in a dropping trigger.
Additionally WATCH: IND vs NZ: Virat Kohli reacts furiously after surprising fielding error in Indore ODI
New Zealand’s historic ODI collection win towards India below Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips
The inspiration of New Zealand’s historic triumph was laid by a monumental 219-run stand between Daryl Mitchell (137) and Glenn Phillips (106). After being diminished to 58/3 by an impressed opening spell from Arshdeep Singh and Rana, the duo produced a masterclass in counter-attacking cricket, changing into the primary Kiwi pair to attain centuries in the identical ODI innings towards India.
Mitchell’s second consecutive ton of the collection and Phillips’ explosive 88-ball hundred propelled the guests to a formidable 337/8, a complete that at all times seemed daunting regardless of the small Indore boundaries. Within the second innings, the New Zealand bowlers displayed immense self-discipline below the lights, with Clarke (3/52) and Zakary Foulkes constantly selecting up wickets to dismantle the Indian prime order. The scientific nature of their protection was evident as they efficiently navigated the Kohli-Rana storm, staying calm in the course of the 21-run over off Kyle Jamieson to ultimately wrap up the tail for 296. This 41-run victory marks the primary time New Zealand has received a bilateral ODI collection in India, a feat that cements this 2026 squad’s place within the annals of New Zealand cricket historical past.
Right here’s how followers reacted:
Nicely carried out, New Zealand. Their self-discipline and execution of the plan is one thing we are able to all be taught from.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 18, 2026
Phenomenal effort from NZ! Younger crew, 0-1 behind within the collection however their plans, execution, fielding and the flexibility to remain within the sport even once they have been behind stood out. What a collection Daryl Mitchell has had! New Zealand as soon as once more proved to be India’s bogey crew. #INDvNZ
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 18, 2026
India. Chase. Virat Kohli. 👑🐐
Do we have to say extra? 🇮🇳🔥
8️⃣5️⃣th worldwide century for the King. 🤌#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/VkLR8TUsdR
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 18, 2026
54th ODI century and seventh towards New Zealand! An absolute innings of sophistication from Virat Kohli unfolding in Indore. Congratulations @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/85wz6x8hiJ
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) January 18, 2026
All hail the KING but once more @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/IvntNn7Oeh
— DK (@DineshKarthik) January 18, 2026
On Sunday, the 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 performed… and the way 💯
[Virat Kohli | Play With Fire | IND vs NZ] pic.twitter.com/fGwY8aLpbv
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) January 18, 2026
Swept the checks, received their first ever ODI collection — New Zealand have handed India a lesson in their very own yard.
Unimaginable.
— Neal Gardner (@Nealbackup) January 18, 2026
No.54 in ODI cricket.
No.85 in worldwide cricket.VIRAT KOHLI. THE GREATEST EVER. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/K8ZnBQrveI
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 18, 2026
eighty fifth century 🔥🔥🔥
King @imVkohli 👑 pic.twitter.com/cb2QQhfn0V
— Vamsi Kaka (@vamsikaka) January 18, 2026
New Zealand clinch the ODI collection with complete win within the decider towards India#cricket #INDvNZ #3rdODI pic.twitter.com/I65YmCv6zI
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 18, 2026
Additionally WATCH: Virat Kohli’s playful gesture steals the present after Daryl Mitchell’s ODI century in Indore
