Introduction: A Historic Upset That Shook Indian Cricket
India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026 will go down in cricket history as the day the Kiwis conquered a fortress. On January 18, 2026, at Indore’s Holkar Cricket Stadium, New Zealand pulled off a stunning 41-run victory, sealing their first-ever bilateral ODI series win on Indian soil. This wasn’t just a match; it was a statement from a depleted Black Caps side missing stars like Kane Williamson and Mitchell Santner. They arrived in India underdogs but left as conquerors, flipping the script from 0-1 down to a 2-1 triumph.
Imagine the scene: A packed stadium buzzing with anticipation, Indian fans expecting dominance after winning the toss and opting to bowl. But Daryl Mitchell’s masterful 137 and Glenn Phillips’ explosive 106 propelled New Zealand to 337/8. Virat Kohli, the chase master, responded with a gritty 124 – his 54th ODI century – but it wasn’t enough. Partnerships with young guns Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) and Harshit Rana (52) sparked hope, yet India crumbled to 296 in 46 overs.
Why does this matter? For New Zealand, it’s redemption after years of struggles in India. Their last bilateral ODI series win here? Never – until now. For India, it’s a wake-up call ahead of the T20 World Cup in less than three weeks. Shubman Gill’s captaincy faced scrutiny, with middle-order woes and spin struggles exposed. As cricket fans, we’ve seen upsets, but this one feels seismic. Could Kohli’s lone battle have turned the tide with better support? Let’s break it down.
This match wasn’t isolated. The series started with India’s win in Vadodara, followed by New Zealand’s clinical chase in Rajkot. Indore’s decider lived up to the hype, blending drama, records, and raw emotion. Drawing from live updates on sites like ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz, plus real-time X posts from fans and experts, we’ll dissect every angle. From early collapses to death-over heroics, this report captures the essence for every cricket lover.
New Zealand’s victory echoes their 2024 Test series win in India – a 3-0 whitewash that stunned the world. Now, in ODIs, they’ve done it again with an inexperienced lineup. Players like Kristian Clarke (3/54) and Zakary Foulkes (3/77) stepped up, proving depth in Kiwi cricket. For India, positives shine through: Emerging all-rounders like Rana and Reddy hint at a bright future. But questions linger – is the middle order ready for big tournaments?
As we dive deeper, remember this: Cricket is unpredictable. One day you’re invincible at home; the next, you’re chasing shadows. Stick around as we unpack the toss, innings breakdowns, key performances, and more. If you’re a die-hard fan like me, this analysis will fuel your post-match debates.
Match Summary and Key Details
The India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026 was a high-stakes decider. Played under clear skies at Holkar Stadium, known for its flat pitches and short boundaries, the game favored batters. Yet, smart bowling and fielding turned the tide.
India won the toss and chose to bowl, hoping to exploit early moisture. Captain Shubman Gill cited the venue’s chase-friendly history – teams batting second won 4 of the last 7 ODIs here. New Zealand, led by Michael Bracewell, would’ve batted anyway, backing their form.
Brief scores: New Zealand 337/8 in 50 overs beat India 296 in 46 overs by 41 runs. Player of the Match and Series: Daryl Mitchell.
Here’s the full scorecard in tabular form for quick reference:
New Zealand Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devon Conway | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Henry Nicholls | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Will Young | 30 | 41 | 5 | 1 | 73.17 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 137 | 131 | 15 | 3 | 104.58 |
| Glenn Phillips | 106 | 88 | 9 | 3 | 120.45 |
| Michael Bracewell (c) | 28* | 18 | 1 | 3 | 155.56 |
| Mitchell Hay (wk) | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Zakary Foulkes | 10 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Kristian Clarke | 11 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 220.00 |
| Kyle Jamieson | 0* | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Extras | 8 (b 5, w 1, nb 2) | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 337/8 (50 overs, RR: 6.74) | – | – | – | – |
Did not bat: Jayden Lennox.
India Bowling Figures
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arshdeep Singh | 10 | 1 | 63 | 3 | 6.30 |
| Harshit Rana | 10 | 0 | 84 | 3 | 8.40 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 10 | 0 | 43 | 1 | 4.30 |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | 8 | 0 | 53 | 0 | 6.60 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 6 | 0 | 48 | 1 | 8.00 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 6 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 6.80 |
Fall of wickets: 5/1 (0.4), 5/2 (1.1), 58/3 (12.1), 277/4 (43.1), 283/5 (44.1), 286/6 (45.2), 304/7 (47.1), 327/8 (48.6).
India Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 11 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 84.62 |
| Shubman Gill (c) | 23 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 127.78 |
| Virat Kohli | 124 | 108 | 10 | 3 | 114.81 |
| Shreyas Iyer | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 30.00 |
| KL Rahul (wk) | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16.67 |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | 53 | 57 | 2 | 2 | 92.98 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 12 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Harshit Rana | 52 | 43 | 4 | 4 | 120.93 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.67 |
| Arshdeep Singh | 4* | 2 | 1 | 0 | 200.00 |
| Extras | 8 (lb 1, w 6, nb 1) | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 296/10 (46 overs, RR: 6.43) | – | – | – | – |
New Zealand Bowling Figures
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ECO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Jamieson | 9 | 0 | 58 | 1 | 6.40 |
| Zakary Foulkes | 9 | 0 | 77 | 3 | 8.60 |
| Kristian Clarke | 9 | 0 | 54 | 3 | 6.00 |
| Jayden Lennox | 10 | 0 | 42 | 2 | 4.20 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10.00 |
| Glenn Phillips | 8 | 0 | 54 | 0 | 6.80 |
Fall of wickets: 28/1 (3.6), 45/2 (6.4), 68/3 (11.2), 71/4 (12.5), 159/5 (27.3), 178/6 (32.1), 277/7 (43.4), 277/8 (43.5), 292/9 (45.4), 296/10 (46).
Umpires: KN Anantha Padmanabhan, Richard Illingworth. Third: Sharfuddoula. Referee: Javagal Srinath.
This summary sets the stage. New Zealand’s total looked par, but their bowlers made it formidable. India started strong but lost momentum early. For more on venue stats, Holkar has seen 8 ODIs with an average first-innings score of 320 – NZ exceeded that.
Pre-Match Context and Series Background
The New Zealand tour of India 2026 was more than cricket; it was a test of resilience. Coming off a 3-0 Test series win in India in 2024, the Kiwis aimed to replicate that in white-ball formats. But ODIs are different – India had won 13 straight home games after winning the toss until this loss.
The series was tied 1-1 entering Indore. India dominated the first ODI in Vadodara, winning by 59 runs behind Rohit Sharma’s ton and Jasprit Bumrah’s haul (though Bumrah was rested here). New Zealand bounced back in Rajkot, chasing 289 with ease thanks to Mitchell’s century and Santner’s absence not hurting them.
New Zealand’s squad was hit hard: No Williamson (injury), Santner (rested for T20 WC), Latham, Ravindra, Duffy. Yet, youngsters like Clarke, Foulkes, and Lennox shone. Captain Bracewell emphasized team unity in pre-match talks: “We’re a small country taking on giants.”
India, under stand-in captain Gill (Rohit as player), missed Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya. Focus was on T20 WC prep, giving chances to Reddy and Rana. Gill said: “We want combinations that work in big events.”
Venue history favored chases – 6 of 8 ODIs won by teams batting second. Indore’s small boundaries (average 380+ totals here rival Trent Bridge) promised runs. Weather: Sunny, 28°C, no rain threat.
Fans on X buzzed pre-match. Posts like @IndianSportFan’s “History on the line!” captured excitement. Experts on Cricbuzz predicted a high-scorer, with NZ’s spin attack key.
Check our 2nd ODI Rajkot report for how NZ leveled it.
Toss and Playing XIs
Toss time: 1:00 PM IST. India won and bowled first. Gill: “Dew might help later; we’ll restrict them.” Bracewell: “Happy to bat; our batters are in form.”
Playing XIs in table:
India Playing XI
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | Opener |
| Shubman Gill (c) | Opener |
| Virat Kohli | Batsman |
| Shreyas Iyer | Batsman |
| KL Rahul (wk) | Wicketkeeper |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | All-rounder |
| Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder |
| Harshit Rana | Bowler |
| Mohammed Siraj | Bowler |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Bowler |
| Arshdeep Singh | Bowler |
No changes; Reddy as sixth bowler.
New Zealand Playing XI
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Devon Conway | Opener |
| Henry Nicholls | Opener |
| Will Young | Batsman |
| Daryl Mitchell | Batsman |
| Glenn Phillips | Batsman |
| Michael Bracewell (c) | All-rounder |
| Mitchell Hay (wk) | Wicketkeeper |
| Zakary Foulkes | All-rounder |
| Kristian Clarke | Bowler |
| Kyle Jamieson | Bowler |
| Jayden Lennox | Bowler |
Debuts: Lennox (spinner), Clarke (seamer). Bracewell’s off-spin crucial.
This lineup showed NZ’s trust in youth. India leaned on experience. Toss favored India, but execution mattered.
New Zealand Innings: Mitchell and Phillips Script History
New Zealand’s innings was a rollercoaster – from early wobbles to a mammoth total. India struck gold upfront, but Mitchell and Phillips’ 219-run stand turned the game.
Early Collapse and Recovery
Arshdeep Singh struck first ball – Nicholls bowled for 0 via inside edge. Rana followed, edging Conway to slip for 5. At 5/2 after 1.1 overs, NZ reeled. But Young (30) and Mitchell steadied with 53 runs. Boundaries flowed in powerplay (47/2).
Rana broke through, Young caught by Jadeja for 30. At 58/3 (12.1), India sensed blood. But Mitchell, in red-hot form (fourth 50+ vs India consecutively), anchored.
The Game-Changing 219-Run Partnership
Enter Phillips. Initially cautious, he exploded post-drinks. Mitchell danced to Kuldeep’s first ball for six – a tone-setter. Fifty off 56, he punched through covers effortlessly.
Phillips, from 22 off 27, smashed Siraj and Arshdeep. Successive boundaries off Reddy pushed his SR over 100. Mitchell’s 100 off 106 (10×4, 2×6) was clinical, attacking spinners from deep crease.
The duo added 219 in 186 balls – NZ’s highest 4th-wicket stand vs India. They targeted short boundaries, Phillips’ 100 off 83 (8×4, 3×6). As per ESPNcricinfo, they plundered 149 in last 99 balls of partnership.
India’s spinners struggled: Kuldeep/Jadeja 12 overs for 89/1. Reddy’s medium-pace leaked 53/0 in 8. X posts raved: @cricpredicta called it “domination.”
Death Overs Surge and Final Total
Arshdeep ended Phillips (106) caught by Rahul. Siraj removed Mitchell (137) next over. At 283/5 (44.1), wickets tumbled: Hay lbw Kuldeep (2), Foulkes caught (10), Clarke bowled Rana (11).
Bracewell’s unbeaten 28 (1×4, 3×6) boosted to 337/8. Siraj’s 0/43 was tidy; Arshdeep/Rana 3 each but expensive.
Phase breakdown table:
| Phase | Overs | Runs/Wkts |
|---|---|---|
| Powerplay | 0.1-10 | 47/2 |
| Middle | 10.1-40 | 191/1 |
| Death | 40.1-50 | 99/5 |
Partnerships table:
| Partnership | Runs | Balls | Players |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | 4 | Conway-Nicholls |
| 2nd | 0 | 3 | Conway-Young |
| 3rd | 53 | 66 | Young-Mitchell |
| 4th | 219 | 186 | Mitchell-Phillips |
| 5th | 6 | 6 | Mitchell-Bracewell |
| 6th | 3 | 7 | Bracewell-Hay |
| 7th | 18 | 11 | Bracewell-Foulkes |
| 8th | 23 | 11 | Bracewell-Clarke |
| 9th | 10 | 6 | Bracewell-Jamieson |
337 looked defendable on a track slowing up. Mitchell’s knock – his ninth ODI ton – tormented India again.
Full innings highlights on YouTube.
India’s Chase: Kohli’s Heroics in Vain
Chasing 338, India needed a solid start. They got it briefly, but collapses bookended Kohli’s brilliance.
Explosive Start and Middle-Order Collapse
Rohit and Gill smashed 5 boundaries in 4 overs. But Foulkes caught Rohit (11) at mid-on. Jamieson’s in-ducker bowled Gill (23) – a peach. At 45/2 (6.4), pressure mounted.
Iyer (3) sliced to point off Clarke. Rahul (1) edged Lennox to Phillips. 71/4 (12.5) – top order gone. Kohli, from aggressive (six off pull), rebuilt patiently.
Kohli Anchors with Reddy
Kohli raced to 27 off 25, then consolidated. Fifty off 51 (4×4, 1×6). Reddy joined for 88-run stand. Reddy’s maiden 50 off 52 (2×4, 2×6) – two sixes off Lennox.
Clarke ended it, Reddy caught for 53. Jadeja (12) holed out to Lennox. 178/6 (32.1) – India needed 160 at 9 RPO.
Rana’s Late Assault and Final Collapse
Kohli exploded: From 74 off 76 to 100 off 91 (8×4, 2×6). Rana’s 52 off 43 (4×4, 4×6) – monstrous sixes – in 99-run stand. Equation: 61 off 38.
Foulkes struck twice: Rana caught, Siraj (0) golden duck. 277/8 (43.5). Kohli miscued Clarke for 124. Kuldeep run out (5), Arshdeep unbeaten 4.
Phase breakdown:
| Phase | Overs | Runs/Wkts |
|---|---|---|
| Powerplay | 0.1-10 | 66/2 |
| Middle | 10.1-40 | 164/4 |
| Death | 40.1-46 | 66/4 |
Partnerships:
| Partnership | Runs | Balls | Players |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 28 | 24 | Rohit-Gill |
| 2nd | 17 | 16 | Kohli-Gill |
| 3rd | 23 | 28 | Kohli-Iyer |
| 4th | 3 | 9 | Kohli-Rahul |
| 5th | 88 | 88 | Kohli-Reddy |
| 6th | 19 | 28 | Kohli-Jadeja |
| 7th | 99 | 69 | Kohli-Rana |
| 8th | 0 | 1 | Kohli-Siraj |
| 9th | 15 | 11 | Kohli-Kuldeep |
| 10th | 4 | 2 | Arshdeep-Kuldeep |
Kohli’s three phases: Frenetic start, rebuilding, explosion. But lone warriors rarely win. Bracewell’s injury forced Phillips to bowl 8 overs – he conceded 54 but held nerve.
Match report on Hindustan Times.
Standout Individual Performances
Daryl Mitchell: Man of the moment. 137 off 131 – second series ton, fourth vs India, fourth in India. His straight-bat punches and spin play dismantled Kuldeep/Jadeja. As per Moneycontrol, he’s the first to score centuries in consecutive ODIs in India as a visitor. Humble in interviews: “Just being present and making decisions.”
Glenn Phillips: 106 off 88 – second ODI ton. From slow start to boundary blitz, clearing ropes easily. Partnership with Mitchell: 219, highest for NZ 4th wicket vs India.
Virat Kohli: 124 off 108 – 54th ODI ton, 10th in 300+ chases (avg 62.67). Three phases: Aggressive (4×4, 1×6 early), patient rebuild, late surge. NDTV notes it’s his 9th in losing causes. Subdued celebration showed team focus.
Harshit Rana: All-round hero. 3/84 bowling, then 52 off 43 batting – maiden 50. Sixes off seamers thrilled fans. X post @IndianSportFan: “First ODI loss in Indore – but Rana shines.”
Nitish Kumar Reddy: Maiden 50 (53 off 57). Stabilized with Kohli, two sixes. Bowling 0/53, but promise for WC.
Kristian Clarke: 3/54 – key wickets (Iyer, Reddy, Kohli). Foulkes 3/77, Lennox 2/42 (impressive on small ground).
Tactical Breakdown: What Decided the Match?
Spin was king – or rather, NZ’s spinners ruled. Lennox/Phillips: 18 overs, 96/2 vs India’s 12 overs, 89/1. NZ varied pace, attacked stumps; India leaked boundaries.
Death bowling: Siraj economical, but Rana/Arshdeep expensive. NZ’s Bracewell injury hurt, but seamers held. Fielding: NZ sharper, Phillips’ direct hit ended it.
Batting tactics: NZ built partnerships; India lost clusters (4/71 early, 4/19 late). Toss advantage wasted. As Firstpost noted, NZ’s inexperience didn’t show – depth won.
Key Statistics and Records Broken
Stats tell the story. Here’s a tabulated roundup:
Virat Kohli Records
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| ODI Centuries | 54 |
| Centuries in Losing Causes | 9 (tied 3rd all-time) |
| Centuries in 300+ Chases | 10 (avg 62.67) |
| Hundreds at Most Venues | 35 |
| Hundreds vs NZ (All Formats) | 10 |
Historic Milestones
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| NZ’s First Bilateral ODI Series Win in India | Since 1988 (8 attempts) |
| India’s First Loss at Indore | After 7 wins |
| First Home Loss After Winning Toss | Since Oct 2022 (13 wins) |
| Bilateral Home Series Results (Since 2016) | vs Aus: 3 wins, 2 losses; vs Others: 13 wins, 1 loss (NZ) |
Player Series Stats
| Player | Runs/Wkts | Notable |
|---|---|---|
| Daryl Mitchell | 300+ runs | 2 centuries |
| Virat Kohli | 250+ runs | 1 century |
| Arshdeep Singh | 6 wkts | 3/63 in 3rd |
| Harshit Rana | 5 wkts + 100 runs | All-round impact |
Batting first won 6/8 at Indore. NZ’s 33 fours, 11 sixes vs India’s 24 fours, 9 sixes. Dot balls: 43% both. Extras: 8 each.
From Indian Express: Kohli’s 784 runs in deciders (avg 52.26).
Post-Match Reactions
Emotions ran high. Bracewell: “Special to win here first time. We rallied as a group.” Mitchell: “Proud of partnerships; GP’s ton awesome.”
Gill: “Disappointed. Positives: Virat’s batting, Harshit’s all-round, fast bowlers.” Lennox: “Depth in NZ cricket; special against stars.”
X reactions: @latestly: “Virat’s 124 in vain; NZ historic win.” Fans praised Kohli but lamented collapses.
What This Means for Both Teams
For NZ: Confidence boost. Proves they can win without stars. T20 series next – focus shifts.
For India: Middle-order fragility, spin woes exposed. WC looms; integrate youth like Reddy/Rana. Gill’s leadership tested.
Ahead: 5 T20Is from Jan 21. Will India rebound?
Conclusion: A Historic Upset
India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026 etched NZ’s name in history. From 5/2 to series win, it’s inspiring. Kohli’s fight epitomized spirit, but team effort wins games. As Outlook said, “Kohli’s defiant ton goes waste.”
This upset reminds us: Cricket thrives on surprises. For IPL Star readers, stay tuned for T20 previews.
BCCI gallery. News18 highlights.
FAQs: India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026
1. Who won the India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026? New Zealand won the India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026 by 41 runs at Holkar Stadium, Indore. India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026 Batting first, the Kiwis posted 337/8, powered by Daryl Mitchell’s 137 and Glenn Phillips’ 106. India were bowled out for 296 despite Virat Kohli’s brilliant 124.
2. What was the final score in IND vs NZ 3rd ODI 2026? India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026 New Zealand 337/8 (Daryl Mitchell 137, Glenn Phillips 106; Harshit Rana 3/84, Arshdeep Singh 3/63) defeated India 296 all out in 46 overs (Virat Kohli 124, Harshit Rana 52, Nitish Kumar Reddy 53; Kristian Clarke 3/54, Zakary Foulkes 3/77) by 41 runs.
3. Did New Zealand achieve their first series win in India in the 2026 ODI series? Yes, this victory sealed New Zealand’s first-ever bilateral ODI series win in India (2-1). India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026 It marked a historic milestone, ending decades of dominance by India on home soil in bilateral ODI series.
4. How many runs did Virat Kohli score in India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026? India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026 Virat Kohli scored 124 off 108 balls, his 54th ODI century. It included 10 fours and 3 sixes, and was his 10th century in chases of 300+, though it came in a losing cause.
5. Who was Player of the Match and Player of the Series in IND vs NZ 3rd ODI 2026? India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026 Daryl Mitchell was named both Player of the Match (137 runs) and Player of the Series (two centuries and 300+ runs across three games), highlighting his dominant form against India.
6. What was the standout partnership in New Zealand’s innings in the 3rd ODI 2026? India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026 The 219-run 4th-wicket partnership between Daryl Mitchell (137) and Glenn Phillips (106) was the game-changer — New Zealand’s highest 4th-wicket stand against India in ODIs and the foundation for their 337/8 total.
7. Why did India fail to chase 338 in India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026 at Indore? India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026 India collapsed to 71/4 early and lost 4 wickets for 19 runs in the death overs. Despite Kohli’s 124 and lower-order fightback from Harshit Rana (52) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (53), New Zealand’s disciplined bowling from Clarke, Foulkes, and Lennox proved decisive.
8. Which venue records were broken during India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026 at Holkar Stadium? New Zealand’s 337/8 was above the venue average first-innings score of ~320. India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026 The match also ended India’s unbeaten streak at Indore (7 previous wins) and marked their first home loss after winning the toss since 2022.
9. Who were the debutants or key young performers in IND vs NZ 3rd ODI 2026? New Zealand debutants Jayden Lennox (2/42) and Kristian Clarke (3/54) impressed. For India, Harshit Rana (3/84 & 52) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) delivered all-round contributions, signalling bright futures.
10. What are the implications of New Zealand’s series win in India 2026 for the upcoming T20 World Cup? The historic series win boosts New Zealand’s confidence heading into the T20 World Cup, proving their depth without key players. For India, it exposes middle-order fragility and spin-bowling concerns that need addressing before the global event.
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