Mitchell, Phillips centuries seal New Zealand ODI series win over India
Indore – New Zealand clinched a dramatic 2-1 one-day international series victory against India after Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips hammered commanding centuries to set up a 41-run win in the decisive third ODI at Indore. Batting first on a typically high-scoring Holkar Stadium pitch, the visitors posted an imposing total that ultimately proved beyond India despite a valiant century from Virat Kohli.
After losing early wickets and slipping to 58 for three, New Zealand looked under pressure, but Mitchell and Phillips completely changed the momentum with a dominant counterattacking partnership. The duo added 219 runs for the fourth wicket, combining controlled aggression with smart shot selection to put India’s bowlers under sustained pressure across the middle and death overs.
Mitchell anchored the innings with a career-best 137, showcasing consistency that defined his tour of India, while Phillips provided explosive support with a fluent century of his own. Their partnership not only rescued New Zealand from a shaky start but also underlined the team’s depth and adaptability in subcontinent conditions.
Set a challenging target of 337, India began their chase cautiously but soon found themselves in trouble as wickets fell at regular intervals. The pressure mounted early, and the required run rate continued to climb, forcing the hosts into risky stroke play against a disciplined New Zealand bowling attack.
Virat Kohli emerged as India’s backbone once again, playing a fighting knock of 124 that kept the home crowd engaged and hopes alive. He stitched together a crucial 88-run partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy, whose composed half-century helped stabilize the innings during a tense phase of the chase.
Just as India appeared to regain control, New Zealand struck at key moments to stall the momentum and push the run rate higher. The dismissal of Reddy proved to be a turning point, and although Kohli found support from Harshit Rana, the mounting pressure began to take its toll.
Kohli reached a record-extending 54th ODI century, underlining his enduring class, while Rana’s quickfire 52 briefly reignited India’s challenge. However, a decisive spell from Zak Foulkes swung the contest firmly back in New Zealand’s favor with two quick wickets that broke India’s resistance.
The final blow came when Kohli miscued a shot and was caught in the deep, effectively ending India’s hopes of an unlikely comeback. New Zealand’s disciplined fielding and calm execution in the closing overs ensured they defended their total successfully to seal the series.
Speaking after the match, India captain Shubman Gill admitted his side had areas to improve, while praising individual batting performances that stood out despite the loss. For New Zealand, the victory marked a significant achievement, completing a comeback series win on Indian soil against a strong home side.
The series triumph highlighted New Zealand’s growing confidence in limited-overs cricket and their ability to perform under pressure in challenging conditions. With Mitchell and Phillips in outstanding form, the visitors left India with momentum and belief ahead of future international assignments.
