New Zealand Script History in Indore as Mitchell and Phillips Outgun Kohli’s Heroics

Indore witnessed a classic ODI thriller as New Zealand edged past India by 41 runs, sealing their first-ever bilateral ODI series win on Indian soil. In a match filled with big centuries, dramatic momentum shifts, and relentless pressure, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips’ twin hundreds powered New Zealand to a towering total, while Virat Kohli’s fighting century kept India alive deep into the chase. In the end, however, the visitors held their nerve, scripting a landmark victory.

Winning the toss, New Zealand chose to bat on a flat, sun-baked Holkar Stadium pitch that promised runs. India struck early, raising hopes of keeping the visitors in check. A sharp in-swinger removed Devon Conway in the opening spell, and soon after, Kane Williamson departed cheaply, leaving New Zealand wobbling at 28 for 2. The crowd sensed an opportunity—this was India’s moment to tighten the grip.

But Daryl Mitchell had other plans.

Mitchell, calm and compact, absorbed the early pressure before unfurling his strokes. He found an ideal partner in Glenn Phillips, whose intent was clear from the outset. Where Mitchell built, Phillips attacked. The pair stitched together a game-defining partnership that completely flipped the script. Indian bowlers tried varying pace and angles, but the duo countered everything—Phillips with fearless lofted drives and muscular pulls, Mitchell with classical timing and relentless strike rotation.

By the halfway stage, New Zealand had recovered to 170 for 2, and India’s early advantage was a distant memory. Phillips raced through the nineties with audacious strokes, reaching his century off just 85 balls. Mitchell followed suit soon after, bringing up his hundred with a crisp drive through cover. Their stand crossed 200 runs, draining energy from the field and silencing a packed Indore crowd.

India finally broke through when Phillips holed out attempting another big hit, but the damage was already immense. Mitchell pressed on, anchoring the innings with authority before falling for a magnificent 118. The late overs were brutal. New Zealand’s lower order kept the foot down, pushing the total beyond 380—an imposing score in any conditions, even in Indore’s batting paradise.

Chasing a mountain, India’s reply began shakily. Openers fell early, undone by swing and bounce, and at 34 for 2, the pressure was palpable. The required rate hovered near eight an over, and every dot ball felt heavy. That was when Virat Kohli walked in, greeted by a roar that carried hope.

Kohli started cautiously, respecting the new ball and assessing the surface. At the other end, young Nitish Reddy played with refreshing freedom. The pair built a steady partnership, mixing singles with timely boundaries. Reddy’s confidence against pace stood out—he drove through the covers and pulled with authority, ensuring the chase did not stall.

Kohli, meanwhile, shifted gears with trademark precision. A flick off his pads, a punch through extra cover, a loft over mid-off—the familiar rhythm returned. The century partnership breathed life into the chase, and suddenly the equation looked manageable. When Reddy fell after a fluent fifty, the crowd rose in appreciation, sensing that Kohli was ready to take India home.

But New Zealand refused to fade.

Mitchell Santner tightened the middle overs, extracting grip and forcing mistimed strokes. Kohli battled through cramps and fatigue, farming the strike and keeping the chase alive. Harshit Rana, promoted as a floater, provided unexpected support. His clean hitting brought the required rate back under control, and for a brief spell, belief surged through the stands.

Kohli reached a heroic century—his 50th in ODIs—raising his bat amid thunderous applause. It was a knock of defiance, crafted under immense pressure, blending patience with controlled aggression. Yet, the mountain remained steep.

The turning point came in the 44th over. With India needing just over 70 from the final seven overs, Trent Boult produced a perfect yorker to dismiss Rana. Two balls later, a slower delivery deceived Kohli, drawing him into a mistimed loft that was safely held in the deep. The stadium fell into stunned silence.

From there, New Zealand smelt history. Their fielding sharpened, boundaries dried up, and the tail could not summon the same resistance. India’s innings folded for 342, falling 41 runs short.

As the players shook hands, New Zealand celebrated more than just a match win—they celebrated a milestone. For the first time, they had conquered India in a bilateral ODI series on Indian soil. Mitchell and Phillips had laid the foundation with twin centuries, and the bowlers, led by Boult and Santner, executed with composure under pressure.

For India, it was a night of mixed emotions. Kohli’s century reaffirmed his enduring brilliance, and the emergence of players like Nitish Reddy and Harshit Rana offered promise. But on this evening in Indore, it was New Zealand’s resolve, depth, and fearless batting that stood tallest—etching a historic chapter in ODI cricket.

❓ FAQs – India vs New Zealand ODI, Indore

Q1. Indore ODI match kaun jeeta?
👉 New Zealand ne India ko 41 runs se haraya.

Q2. Match ke sabse bade heroes kaun rahe?
👉 New Zealand ke Daryl Mitchell aur Glenn Phillips, dono ne centuries maari. India ke liye Virat Kohli ne fighting century banayi.

Q3. New Zealand ne kitna score banaya?
👉 New Zealand ne 380+ ka massive total khada kiya, jo Indore jaise batting-friendly pitch par bhi challenging tha.

Q4. India ki chase ka turning point kya raha?
👉 Harshit Rana aur Virat Kohli ke out hone ke baad momentum toot gaya. Wahi se match New Zealand ke paksh me chala gaya.

Q5. Kya yeh New Zealand ki historic win hai?
👉 Haan, yeh New Zealand ki India me pehli bilateral ODI series win hai – ek historic moment.

Q6. Virat Kohli ki century kaisi thi?
👉 Kohli ki century pure pressure me aayi, jisme patience, class aur fighting spirit साफ दिखा.