New Zealand created history by winning their first-ever bilateral ODI series in India after defeating India in the 3rd ODI at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. With this win, New Zealand sealed the three-match series 2–1, achieving a milestone that no New Zealand team had managed before.

Winning an ODI series in India is considered one of the toughest challenges in world cricket, and New Zealand’s performance throughout the series showed strong planning, confidence, and execution.

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Match Overview: India vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI

• Match: 3rd ODI

• Venue: Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore

• Date: January 18, 2026

• Toss: New Zealand chose to bat

• Result: New Zealand won by 41 runs

• Series Result: New Zealand won 2–1

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New Zealand Innings: Mitchell and Phillips Take Control

Batting first, New Zealand scored 337 runs for 8 wickets in 50 overs. The pitch was good for batting, and New Zealand batters made full use of it.

Daryl Mitchell played a superb innings of 137 runs, showing patience and smart shot selection. At the other end, Glenn Phillips smashed 106 runs, playing aggressively and putting Indian bowlers under pressure.

Their long partnership became the turning point of the match and helped New Zealand reach a big and challenging total.

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Indian Bowling: Mixed Effort

India’s bowlers tried hard to control the scoring.

• Arshdeep Singh took 3 wickets

• Harshit Rana also picked up 3 wickets

However, New Zealand’s top-order partnership made it difficult for India to restrict the total.

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India’s Chase: Harshit Rana’s Surprise Fight and Kohli’s Class

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Chasing 338 runs, India lost early wickets, which immediately put pressure on the middle order.

Virat Kohli once again showed his class, scoring a brilliant 124 runs and holding one end firmly.

One of the biggest positives for India was Harshit Rana’s fighting innings of 52 runs. Coming lower down the order, Rana showed courage and confidence, hitting important boundaries and refusing to give up. His innings proved that India has depth and fighting spirit, even in difficult situations.

Nitish Kumar Reddy also contributed 53 runs, but India failed to build long partnerships.

India were finally bowled out for 296 runs in 46 overs, losing the match by 41 runs.

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Rohit Sharma’s reaction to Harshit Rana’s six became viral on social media. When Harshit Rana hit a powerful six, Rohit Sharma looked surprised at first, and then he smiled and clapped. His reaction showed pride and encouragement for the young player.

As a captain, Rohit Sharma often supports young talents, and this moment proved that again. His calm and positive body language sent a clear message: “Well done, keep playing with confidence.”

Fans loved this reaction because it showed Rohit Sharma’s leadership, sportsmanship, and trust in young players.

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Why Captain Shubman Gill Is Not Working Well

This series raised serious questions about Shubman Gill’s captaincy.

• Gill looked under pressure during key moments

• Bowling changes were often too late

• Field placements lacked aggression

• Team failed to respond quickly when momentum shifted

As a young captain, Gill has talent, but this series showed that he still needs time and experience to lead the team effectively, especially in high-pressure situations.

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Rohit Sharma’s Form a Major Concern for India

Another major talking point of the series was Rohit Sharma’s poor form.

• Rohit failed to score big runs in the series

• He looked uncomfortable against both pace and spin

• His early dismissals put pressure on the middle order

With big tournaments coming up, Rohit’s form is now a concern for Indian team management, and fans will expect a strong comeback soon.

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New Zealand Bowlers Seal Historic Win

New Zealand’s bowlers remained calm and disciplined during India’s chase. They did not allow Kohli to get enough support and kept taking wickets at regular intervals.

Their ability to handle pressure in Indian conditions played a key role in winning both the match and the series.

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Awards and Key Performers

• Player of the Match: Daryl Mitchell

• Player of the Series: Daryl Mitchell

Mitchell’s consistency throughout the series was one of the biggest reasons behind New Zealand’s historic success.

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Why This Series Will Be Remembered

• New Zealand won their first-ever ODI series in India

• Strong batting performances from Mitchell and Phillips

• Harshit Rana impressed with both bat and ball

• Kohli’s century showed his continued class

• Questions raised over Gill’s captaincy and Rohit’s form

• 🏏 India vs New Zealand – 3rd ODI (Series Decider) | Full Match Guide