INDORE: Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips struck commanding centuries in a superb partnership to power New Zealand to a 41-run victory over India in the third one-day international in Indore on Sunday, clinching the tourists’ first-ever ODI series win on Indian soil.
Set a stiff target of 337, India never quite recovered from a shaky start as wickets fell at regular intervals. Veteran Virat Kohli mounted a spirited fightback with a battling 124, first sharing an 88-run stand with Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) to revive hopes.
Kristian Clarke removed Reddy to halt India’s momentum, but Kohli found fresh support in Harshit Rana, who counterattacked with a rapid 52 off 43 balls. Kohli brought up his record-extending 54th ODI hundred as the required run rate climbed.
The chase unravelled when Zak Foulkes delivered a decisive over, dismissing Rana and Mohammed Siraj in quick succession. Kohli’s resistance ended two overs later when he miscued a shot to long-off.
“After the first game, coming here 1-1, the way we played was disappointing. Lot of areas need improving. Virat’s batting and Harshit’s batting have been positives,” India captain Shubman Gill said.
