India vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI Match Live Score:
On a fateful Sunday, January 18th, at Indore's Holkar Cricket Stadium, the final ODI clash between India and New Zealand unfolded dramatically. The Indian squad, chasing a target of 338 runs, succumbed at 296 runs in 46 overs, resulting in a 41-run defeat. Remarkably, Virat Kohli dazzled with a majestic 124-run innings; however, it was insufficient to secure victory for his team. With this win, New Zealand conclusively claimed the ODI series 2-1, marking their first-ever series win in India.
The series opener at Vadodara saw India triumph with a four-wicket win. Then, in Rajkot, New Zealand made a remarkable comeback, leveling the series 1-1 with a seven-wicket win. With this victory, New Zealand takes home the series trophy.
Top Order Collapse, Kohli's Lone Battle...
In pursuit of the target, India's start was shaky. Rohit Sharma fell prey to Zakari Foulkes after scoring 11. Captain Shubman Gill followed, his promising innings of 23 curtained by Kyle Jamieson. Shreyas Iyer, too, departed early, scoring merely 3 runs, a victim to Cristian Clarke. Meanwhile, KL Rahul, star of the previous match, floundered in Indore, edging out for a mere 1 run against spinner Jaden Lenox. By this point, India was reeling at 71/4.
Virat Kohli then teamed up with Nitish Kumar Reddy, engineering an 88-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Kohli, with an array of shots, reached his half-century off 51 balls, hitting 4 boundaries and a towering six. Simultaneously, Nitish completed his half-century from 52 balls but couldn't sustain his momentum, departing after scoring a brisk 53 adorned with 2 sixes and 2 fours. Expectations from Jadeja fell short as he exited for just 12 runs.
Subsequently, Kohli and Harshit Rana staged a notable 99-run stand for the seventh wicket. Kohli completed his century in an exquisite manner, smashing 8 fours and 2 sixes across 91 balls, marking his 54th ODI and 85th overall international century. Harshit Rana, with 4 sixes and 4 boundaries, reached his half-century but was quickly dismissed thereafter. India lost Mohammed Siraj on the very next ball.
Even Kohli's dismissal at 124 marked New Zealand's imminent victory. Kohli's valiant effort saw him craftily score 10 boundaries and 3 sixes across 108 balls. India's innings concluded with Kuldeep Yadav being run out for 5. For New Zealand, Cristian Clarke and Zakari Foulkes were the protagonists with three wickets each.
Centuries Galore for Mitchell and Phillips
New Zealand, opting to bat first after losing the toss, posted a competitive 337/8. Their innings commenced poorly at 6/2, with Arshdeep Singh clean bowling opener Henry Nicholls for a duck, while Harshit Rana dismissed Devon Conway for a modest 5. Daryl Mitchell and Will Young then forged a valuable 53-run partnership, punctuated by Harshit Rana once more as Young contributed 30 runs prior to his dismissal.
At this juncture, Mitchell and Glenn Phillips orchestrated a mammoth 219-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Mitchell’s splendid 107 came off 107 deliveries, featuring 10 fours and 2 sixes, continuing his stunning form from the Rajkot ODI where he amassed an unbeaten 131. Phillips, after settling in, accelerated his innings to reach 100 from 83 balls, hitting 8 fours and 3 sixes.
Arshdeep Singh eventually disbanded this prolific stand by removing Phillips, who scored an electrifying 106 from 88 balls with 9 boundaries and 3 maximums. Siraj further dented New Zealand's march by sending Mitchell back after a formidable 131 off 137 balls, which included 15 boundaries and 3 sixes. Mitchell Hay, with just 2 runs, was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav soon after.
Arshdeep Singh’s brilliance earned India their seventh breakthrough, dismissing Zakari Foulkes with a riveting delivery, while Harshit Rana claimed Cristian Clarke’s wicket for 11, totaling New Zealand’s score to 327/8. Skipper Michael Bracewell's unbeaten 28 included aggressive strokes, lifting New Zealand to an imposing finish. Both Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana stood out for India, each claiming three wickets apiece.
For this fixture, Arshdeep Singh, the left-arm pacer, was called into India's playing XI, replacing the right-arm fast bowler Prasidh Krishna. Meanwhile, New Zealand adhered to their successful combination, making no changes to their squad.
India’s Playing XI in Indore:
Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj.
New Zealand’s Playing XI in Indore:
Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Haye (wicketkeeper), Michael Bracewell (captain), Zakari Foulkes, Cristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, and Jaden Lenox.
India vs New Zealand H2H
Total ODI Matches: 122India Wins: 63New Zealand Wins: 51No Result: 7Tie: 1
India vs New Zealand H2H (In India)
Total ODI Matches: 42India Wins: 32New Zealand Wins: 9No Result: 1
India Squad:
Shubman Gill (captain), Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Ayush Badoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
New Zealand Squad:
Michael Bracewell (captain), Devon Conway, Will Young, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Zakari Foulkes, Nick Kelly, Josh Clarkson, Michael Rae, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Hay (wicketkeeper), Aditya Ashok, Cristian Clarke, and Jaden Lenox.
India vs New Zealand ODI Series
January 11: First ODI, Vadodara, India won by four wicketsJanuary 14: Second ODI, Rajkot, New Zealand won by seven wicketsJanuary 18: Third ODI, Indore
