History was rewritten at the Holkar Stadium on Sunday as New Zealand conquered Indian conditions to clinch their first-ever ODI series victory on Indian soil. In a high-scoring decider filled with momentum swings, the visitors held their nerve to beat India by 41 runs, powered by a commanding batting display from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips.
For the third time in the series, Daryl Mitchell emerged as India’s undoing. The right-hander followed up his earlier heroics with another monumental innings, crafting a composed yet punishing 137 off 131 balls. At the other end, Glenn Phillips provided the spark, racing to a dazzling 106 from just 88 deliveries. Together, the duo stitched a decisive 219-run partnership for the fourth wicket, turning a shaky start into a position of dominance.
New Zealand’s innings had begun on uncertain footing after Shubman Gill chose to bowl. Arshdeep Singh struck with the fourth ball, removing Henry Nicholls for a duck, and Harshit Rana followed up by dismissing Devon Conway in the next over. At five for two, the visitors were firmly on the back foot.
Mitchell, however, absorbed the early pressure and rebuilt alongside Will Young before finding his ideal partner in Phillips. The pair initially focused on rotation and placement before unleashing a calculated assault late in the innings.
Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja were taken on as the scoring rate surged, with Mitchell’s clean hitting down the ground and Phillips’ elegance through the off side setting the tone. Though both centurions fell towards the end, skipper Michael Bracewell’s late flourish ensured New Zealand crossed the 330 mark.
India’s reply never quite settled. Early losses of Rohit Sharma, Gill, Shreyas Iyer and K.L. Rahul left the hosts reeling. Amid the collapse, Virat Kohli stood tall, producing a typically resolute century. His 124 off 108 balls briefly revived hopes, especially during an aggressive stand with Harshit Rana that injected urgency into the chase.
But New Zealand refused to loosen their grip. Timely wickets from Zak Foulkes and Kristian Clarke halted India’s momentum, and once Kohli departed, the outcome was all but sealed.
As the final runs were defended, New Zealand celebrated a landmark achievement — a series win that underlined their adaptability and composure, and one that will be remembered as a defining moment in their ODI history.
