Mitchell and Phillips Propel New Zealand to Unprecedented Series Victory Over India

On a different pitch, under varied conditions, Daryl Mitchell once again emerged as India’s nemesis, delivering a remarkable century (137 runs off 131 balls, 15 fours, 3 sixes). Glenn Phillips provided strong support with his own dazzling century (106 runs off 88 balls, 9 fours, 3 sixes). Their formidable 219-run partnership for the fourth wicket was pivotal in New Zealand clinching their first-ever ODI series victory in India, winning the deciding match by 41 runs at Holkar Stadium on Sunday.

HIGHLIGHTS | India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI

In pursuit of a target of 338, India faced early setbacks. Rohit Sharma fell to Zak Foulkes in the fourth over, and captain Shubman Gill succumbed to Kyle Jamieson in the seventh. Shreyas Iyer’s time at the crease was short-lived as he fell to Kristian Clarke, and left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox dismissed K.L. Rahul, leaving India struggling at 71 for four by the 13th over.

Virat Kohli then took charge with a resilient innings (124 runs off 108 balls, 10 fours, 3 sixes), forming an 88-run partnership with Nitish Kumar (53 runs off 57 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes) for the fifth wicket.

Kohli reached his 85th international century, but it wasn’t enough to alter India’s fortunes. | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

Nitish was out to Clarke, while Lennox claimed Ravindra Jadeja, pushing India to 178 for six. Kohli, along with Harshit Rana (52 runs off 43 balls, 4 fours, 4 sixes), mounted a formidable counter-attack, adding 99 runs from just 69 balls, but Foulkes dismissed Rana. Clarke ended Kohli’s extraordinary innings, extinguishing India’s hopes.

Earlier, after Gill chose to field, Arshdeep Singh struck in the fourth ball, sending Henry Nicholls back for a duck. Harshit removed Devon Conway in the following over, leaving New Zealand at five for two. Mitchell and Will Young steadied the innings with a composed stand, with Young eventually falling to Harshit after a fluent knock that included impressive drives and a pull shot, concluding a 53-run third-wicket partnership.

Mitchell found a reliable partner in Phillips as they gradually increased the scoring rate with strategic running and steady accumulation. Mitchell expressed his intent with a straight six off Kuldeep Yadav’s first ball. Momentum shifted notably in the 40th over when Jadeja conceded 13 runs, with Phillips smashing one over long-on and Mitchell punishing a short ball. Kuldeep faced similar treatment in the next over, leaking 19 runs as Mitchell and Phillips pushed the scoring rate higher.

Phillips reached his second ODI century with a superb off-side drive. Arshdeep eventually broke the formidable partnership by dismissing Phillips, while Mohammed Siraj removed Mitchell. Nevertheless, captain Michael Bracewell’s swift 18-ball 28 ensured New Zealand set a daunting target.

Published on Jan 18, 2026.