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 sequence 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 strain and medical execution, making certain that even a legendary ‘Chase Grasp’ efficiency couldn’t stop the historic 2-1 sequence loss. As the ultimate wicket fell within the forty sixth over, the Holkar Stadium witnessed a uncommon sight: a victorious Kiwi facet 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, teen Nitish Kumar Reddy performed a significant function within the restoration, scoring a gritty 53 off 57 balls. Reddy’s maiden ODI fifty, celebrated along 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 a part of a set Kohli, and collectively they stitched a blistering 99-run partnership off simply 69 balls. Rana, primarily recognized 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 centered aggression, reaching his century in 91 balls and ultimately accelerating to an outstanding 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 strain. Whereas their mixed stand introduced India inside hanging 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 unexpected fielding error in Indore ODI
New Zealand’s historic ODI sequence win in opposition to India beneath 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 in opposition to India.
Mitchell’s second consecutive ton of the sequence 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 beneath the lights, with Clarke (3/52) and Zakary Foulkes persistently selecting up wickets to dismantle the Indian prime order. The medical nature of their protection was evident as they efficiently navigated the Kohli-Rana storm, staying calm through 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 gained a bilateral ODI sequence 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:
Properly completed, New Zealand. Their self-discipline and execution of the plan is one thing we are able to all study from.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 18, 2026
Phenomenal effort from NZ! Younger group, 0-1 behind within the sequence however their plans, execution, fielding and the flexibility to remain within the recreation even after they have been behind stood out. What a sequence Daryl Mitchell has had! New Zealand as soon as once more proved to be India’s bogey group. #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 in opposition to 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 exams, gained their first ever ODI sequence — New Zealand have handed India a lesson in their very own yard.
Unbelievable.
— 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 sequence with complete win within the decider in opposition to India#cricket #INDvNZ #3rdODI pic.twitter.com/I65YmCv6zI
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 18, 2026
Additionally WATCH: Virat Kohli’s playful gesture steals the show after Daryl Mitchell’s ODI century in Indore
