India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI turned into a night of heartbreak for the hosts at a packed Holkar Stadium, as New Zealand sealed a historic ODI series win in India despite a valiant century from Virat Kohli. What began as a festival atmosphere slowly dissolved into stunned silence as the visitors held their nerve to clinch a memorable 41-run victory.
The stands were full hours before the first ball, and expectations were sky-high. But as the chase unravelled and wickets kept tumbling, the crowd began to drift away, long before the final delivery was bowled. Even Kohli’s brilliance could not rescue India on a night when New Zealand were simply superior in all departments during the India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI.
Kohli’s lone resistance in a faltering chase
Chasing a daunting 337, India needed something extraordinary. As has often been the case over the last decade, hope rested squarely on Virat Kohli. The 37-year-old once again showcased why he is regarded as one of the greatest ODI batters, producing a sublime 124 off 108 balls in the India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI.
However, this time, the support around him was minimal. India’s top and middle order collapsed under pressure, playing rash shots and failing to adapt to the situation. Shubman Gill was undone by a sharp nip-backer from Kyle Jamieson, while KL Rahul’s tentative stroke off Jayden Lennox summed up India’s indecision.
Kohli tried to anchor the innings, rotating strike and picking his moments with trademark precision. Partnerships with Nitish Reddy and later Harshit Rana briefly kept India in the contest, but the required rate kept climbing. When Kohli was caught at long-on in the 46th over, the result of the India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI was effectively sealed, and the remaining resistance quickly faded.
New Zealand’s fearless batting sets the tone
The foundation for New Zealand’s triumph in the India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI was laid earlier in the day by a commanding batting performance. Daryl Mitchell followed up his previous heroics with another authoritative century, while Glenn Phillips smashed his second ODI hundred, powering the visitors past the 330 mark.
India had struck early with the new ball, thanks to Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, raising hopes of restricting New Zealand to a manageable total. But once the ball softened, India struggled to maintain control. Mitchell and Phillips capitalised on loose deliveries and rotated strike efficiently, ensuring the scoreboard pressure never eased.
Despite a few late wickets, New Zealand finished with a total that always felt slightly above par, especially on an Indore pitch known for high scores. That cushion proved decisive in the India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI, as India were forced into risky shots during the chase.
Series defeat exposes India’s shortcomings
The India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI also underlined deeper issues for the hosts. India’s bowling lacked consistency once the initial burst was over, and the reluctance to use spinners in the middle overs allowed New Zealand to dictate terms. It marked the third underwhelming bowling display in as many matches.
Captain Shubman Gill acknowledged as much after the game, conceding that New Zealand outplayed India despite the hosts looking stronger on paper. For New Zealand, the victory in the India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI was historic — their first-ever ODI series win in India, achieved with a relatively inexperienced squad.
As the dust settles on the India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI, India are left with questions about balance, execution, and composure under pressure, while New Zealand depart with belief, confidence, and a landmark triumph etched into their cricketing history.
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