IND vs NZ 3rd ODI 2026 Highlights

Cricket fans witnessed a thriller as New Zealand defeated India by 41 runs in the 3rd ODI, winning the series 2–1. Despite a heroic 124-run century by Virat Kohli, India fell short while chasing a daunting 337-run target. The match will be remembered as a historic moment—New Zealand’s first-ever bilateral ODI series win in India.

This decider showcased New Zealand’s batting depth, calm temperament under pressure, and smart bowling in the middle overs.

🔥 Key Highlights & Strong Points

1️⃣ New Zealand’s Batting Brilliance

• Daryl Mitchell – 137 runs: Anchored the innings with composure.
• Glenn Phillips – 106 runs: Played an explosive knock to accelerate the score.
• Partnership – 219 runs: Built a massive foundation for NZ’s total.

Impact: Twin centuries created an intimidating target and shifted momentum firmly in New Zealand’s favor.

2️⃣ Kohli’s Lone Battle

• Virat Kohli – 124 runs: A masterclass in chasing under pressure.
• Support: Nitish Kumar Reddy (53), Harshit Rana (52).

Kohli kept India alive, but the lack of sustained partnerships in the middle overs proved costly.

3️⃣ Bowling That Changed the Game

• New Zealand: Zak Foulkes (3/45) & Kristian Clarke (3/58) struck at crucial moments.
• India: Arshdeep Singh (3/61) & Harshit Rana (2/45) impressed early.

Turning Point: New Zealand’s middle-overs control choked India’s momentum, forcing risky shots and key dismissals.

4️⃣ A Historic Series Win

New Zealand’s victory marks their first bilateral ODI series win in India—a landmark achievement that underlines their growth as a dominant white-ball side.

📊 Match Snapshot

Team	Score	Top Scorer	Key Bowlers
New Zealand	337/8	Daryl Mitchell 137, Glenn Phillips 106	Zak Foulkes 3/45, Kristian Clarke 3/58
India	296 all out	Virat Kohli 124, Nitish Kumar Reddy 53	Arshdeep Singh 3/61, Harshit Rana 2/45

Series Result: New Zealand 2 – India 1