The India New Zealand 3rd ODI cricket match took place on 18 January 2026 at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. New Zealand won by 41 runs securing the ODI series 2–1. The visitors posted 337/8 in 50 overs and India were bowled out for 296 in 46 overs.
Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips scored centuries to rescue New Zealand after wickets. India responded through Virat Kohli’s 124 with support from Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana. However India could not complete the demanding chase.
The deciding match featured batting recoveries, important bowling spells and a late India fightback. Here is a detailed look at the score individual performances and moments that shaped the result.
Match Result
The series was level at 1–1 before the ODI meaning the winner in Indore would take the trophy. India won the toss. Chose to bowl first.
| Match Detail | Information |
| Match | India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI |
| Series | New Zealand tour of India 2026 |
| Date | 18 January 2026 |
| Venue | Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore |
| Format | ODI |
| Toss | India. Chose to field |
| New Zealand | 337/8 in 50 overs |
| India | 296 all out in 46 overs |
| Winner | New Zealand |
| Winning margin | 41 runs |
| Series result | New Zealand won 2–1 |
| Player of the Match | Daryl Mitchell |
India started well with the ball. New Zealand recovered through a major middle‑order partnership. During the chase early India wickets gave the visiting bowlers an advantage they eventually converted into victory.
New Zealand’s Innings: From Early Wickets to 337
New Zealand’s innings began poorly. Henry Nicholls was dismissed without scoring while Devon Conway contributed five. At 5/2 the visitors needed a rebuilding effort.
Will Young helped settle the innings with 30 from 41 balls. His contribution offered some stability. His dismissal left New Zealand at 58/3.
India had an opportunity to keep the total under control. Instead Mitchell and Phillips produced the partnership that became the foundation of New Zealand’s victory.
Daryl Mitchell Leads the Recovery
Daryl Mitchell scored 137 from 131 balls combining accumulation with attacking shots when opportunities appeared. His innings included 15 fours and three sixes.
The situation required Mitchell to protect his wicket without allowing the scoring rate to fall far. He managed that balance effectively giving New Zealand a presence throughout the innings.
His ability to stay at the crease also allowed Phillips to play with increasing freedom.
Glenn Phillips Adds Momentum
Glenn Phillips made 106 from 88 deliveries hitting nine fours and three sixes. His quicker scoring helped New Zealand move beyond recovery. Build a challenging total.
Mitchell and Phillips added 219 runs for the wicket. Their partnership took the score from 58/3 to 277/4 changing the direction of the contest.
Why Their Partnership Was Decisive
The stand forced India to spend much of the middle overs bowling to two settled batters. Early wickets had given India control. They could not find another breakthrough quickly enough.
New Zealand therefore entered the closing overs with a platform. Michael Bracewell’s unbeaten 28 from 18 balls provided a finishing contribution.
India’s Bowling Performance
India’s bowlers enjoyed success at the beginning. Returned to take wickets later. However the long fourth‑wicket partnership proved expensive.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs Conceded | Wickets |
| Arshdeep Singh | 10 | 63 | 3 |
| Harshit Rana | 10 | 84 | 3 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 10 | 43 | 1 |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | 8 | 53 | 0 |
| Kuldeep Yadav | 6 | 48 | 1 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 6 | 41 | 0 |
Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana finished with three wickets each. Mohammed Siraj delivered the economical full spell for India conceding 43 runs in 10 overs.
The main difficulty was converting the advantage into sustained pressure. Once Mitchell and Phillips settled India struggled to separate them.
India’s Chase: Early Setbacks Increase the Pressure
Chasing 338 India needed a start and at least one substantial partnership, near the top of the order.
Instead Rohit Sharma scored 11 while captain Shubman Gill made 23. Shreyas Iyer departed for three and KL Rahul was dismissed for one.
India slipped to 71/4 leaving an amount of work for the remaining batters. With four experienced players already dismissed Kohli had to rebuild while keeping the required scoring rate within reach.
Virat Kohli Scores a Fighting Century
Virat Kohli scored 124 runs from 108 balls, which was India’s impressive individual batting effort. Virat Kohli hit 10 fours and three sixes keeping the chase alive even though wickets fell around Virat Kohli.
Virat Kohli’s innings needed both patience and aggressive intent. India could not afford another collapse and simply staying at the crease would not have been enough against such a large target.
Virat Kohli found support from Reddy. Later from Rana allowing India to keep the match competitive.
Nitish Kumar Reddy Provides Stability
Nitish Kumar Reddy scored 53 runs from 57 balls giving Virat Kohli a partner after the top‑order dismissals.
Their partnership helped India move away from danger. However Nitish Kumar Reddy’s dismissal meant India still needed another contribution to challenge New Zealand’s total.
Harshit Rana Gives India Late Hope
Batting lower down the order Harshit Rana made 52 runs from 43 deliveries. Harshit Rana’s innings included four fours and four sixes bringing momentum to the chase.
India reached 277 for 6. Harshit Rana’s dismissal was followed immediately by Mohammed Siraj’s wicket. Those consecutive breakthroughs sharply reduced India’s chances.
Virat Kohli later fell with the score at 292 for 9. India’s innings ended at 296.
New Zealand’s Bowling Makes the Difference
New Zealand’s bowlers kept taking wickets at stages preventing India from building one uninterrupted match‑winning stand.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs Conceded | Wickets |
| Kyle Jamieson | 9 | 58 | 1 |
| Zakary Foulkes | 9 | 77 | 3 |
| Kristian Clarke | 9 | 54 | 3 |
| Jayden Lennox | 10 | 42 | 2 |
Kristian Clarke took 3 wickets for 54 runs providing breakthroughs. Zakary Foulkes also took three wickets, including the dismissals that interrupted India’s late recovery.
Jayden Lennox contributed through control conceding 42 runs in 10 overs while taking two wickets. Jayden Lennox’s spell made it harder for India to maintain the scoring rate.
What the Result Meant for the Series
The victory gave New Zealand their first bilateral ODI series win in India. After losing the opening match New Zealand won the two to complete a memorable comeback.
For India, Virat Kohli’s century and the half‑centuries from Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana were positives. However those efforts could not fully repair the damage caused by the batting collapse.
The match showed how strongly a long partnership can influence an ODI. New Zealand’s fourth‑wicket stand gave New Zealand’s bowlers runs to defend, even against a determined chase.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the India New Zealand third ODI in January 2026?
New Zealand won by 41 runs defending a total of 337/8.
2. Where was the third ODI played?
The match was played at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on 18 January 2026.
3. How many runs did Virat Kohli score?
Virat Kohli scored 124 runs from 108 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes.
4. Who was the Player of the Match?
Daryl Mitchell received the award after scoring 137 runs.
5. What was the final series result?
New Zealand won the ODI series 2–1 taking the deciding match in Indore.
Conclusion
The India New Zealand 3rd ODI cricket match was decided by New Zealand’s middle‑order recovery and timely bowling breakthroughs. Mitchell and Phillips built the winning platform while Virat Kohli, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana kept India fighting during the chase.
Despite India’s resistance New Zealand defended 337 for 8 to win by 41 runs completing a historic ODI series victory, on soil.
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