India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI 2026: NZ Win Series 2

Cricket fans love high-stakes battles — especially when a series decider is on the line. On 18 January 2026, Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore was buzzing with energy, a sold-out crowd and emotions running high as India and New Zealand faced off in the final ODI of a thrilling three-match series. The series was tied 1–1, and India, with home advantage and a massive fanbase rallying behind them, were firm favorites.

But cricket doesn’t follow scripts. New Zealand produced one of their best limited-overs performances on Indian soil, winning the match by 41 runs and clinching the ODI series 2–1 — a historic milestone for the Black Caps. Let’s break down how this epic contest unfolded.

India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI Match Summary

Venue: Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
Match: India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI – 2025/26
Result: New Zealand beat India by 41 runs
Series Result: New Zealand won the series 2–1

New Zealand Innings — 337/8 (50 overs)

New Zealand posted a huge total of 337 for 8 after being put into bat, laying the foundation with a classy batting display from top to middle order. It was a total that looked intimidating even on a batting-friendly pitch like Indore.

Top NZ Batting Performances

Daryl Mitchell — 137 off 131 (15 fours, 3 sixes)
Mitchell was the backbone of NZ’s innings. With strong technique and ruthless intent, he batted through the innings, timing the ball to perfection and punishing loose balls consistently. His century anchored the innings and prevented any collapses.
Glenn Phillips — 106 off 88 (9 fours, 3 sixes)
Phillips brought the acceleration. Coming in at the right time, he struck at an excellent clip and built a big partnership with Mitchell, turning the score into something India would seriously have to work for.
Will Young — 30 off 41
A steady contribution at a tricky phase of the innings helped extend the score beyond 330.

The New Zealand innings was a mix of resilience and power, with Mitchell and Phillips forming a crucial 219-run partnership that swung the momentum firmly in NZ’s favor.

India Bowling — Good Efforts, but Not Enough

Even on a big total, India had chances early and middle overs — but key wickets didn’t arrive at the perfect times. Among the bowlers:

Arshdeep Singh picked up 3 wickets and was among the more consistent options, keeping the ball tight and extracting early movement.
Harshit Rana also chipped in with 3 wickets, showing aggression and effort.

But the flow of runs in the middle overs, especially during the Mitchell-Phillips partnership, cost India heavily in the end.

India Chase — 296/8 (46 overs)

Chasing 338, India started well, but once early momentum shifted, wickets started falling at crucial times. Eventually, India ended at 296 for 8, five runs short of the target required at the point the match finished due to play conditions.

Top Indian Batting Performances

Virat Kohli — 124 off 108 (5 fours, 6 sixes)
Kohli was nothing short of sensational. In a chase of this magnitude, he played with complete control — pacing his innings beautifully, rotating the strike when needed and accelerating against anything loose. It was a quintessential Kohli innings under pressure.
Nitish Kumar Reddy — 53 off 57
Reddy provided valuable support and kept the partnership moving, especially important when early wickets fell.

Despite the backbone innings from Kohli, India lost regular wickets at critical moments, disrupting the flow and increasing the pressure on the middle order. As the required rate climbed, NZ’s bowlers expertly clawed back control.

New Zealand Bowling — Discipline Wins the Day

New Zealand’s bowlers executed plans with precision:

Kristian Clarke — 3/54
Clarke’s three key wickets were vital, especially breaking partnerships and swinging the pressure back to India in the middle overs.
Other bowlers kept things tight, varying pace and length brilliantly to keep India guessing throughout the chase.

India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI : Overall Standout Performances

Daryl Mitchell (NZ): 137 — a match-defining knock
Glenn Phillips (NZ): 106 — brilliant acceleration
Virat Kohli (IND): 124 — world-class chase effort
Kristian Clarke (NZ): 3 wickets — big breakthroughs

Each of these performances shaped the narrative of the match.

What the Captains Said

India Captain: In the post-match press interaction, India’s skipper acknowledged the effort but admitted that they “fell short when it mattered.” He praised Kohli’s innings as inspirational but said the team needed better execution at key phases.

New Zealand Captain: The NZ captain reflected on the historic nature of the win, highlighting the team’s unity, belief, and calmness under pressure. He emphasized that wins like this are built over “smart cricket and discipline,” especially away from home.

Conclusion — More Than Just a Win

This wasn’t just another ODI. It was a series decider and New Zealand embraced the challenge with maturity that belies their relative underdog status. Winning an ODI series in India is never easy — but NZ backed themselves in every department.

For India fans, the loss stings — especially after Kohli’s masterclass. But it also offers a reality check: on any given day, disciplined planning and execution can beat even the most passionate home side.

Personal View — Cricket at Its Competitive Best

As a cricket lover, I watched this match with every emotion possible — excitement, tension, hope, and admiration. The way New Zealand handled pressure and how Kohli stood tall in adversity showcased the beautiful unpredictability of cricket. Historic wins are unforgettable, and this one will be talked about for years among fans of both teams.

New Zealand wrote their name in the history books. India will be back — stronger and ready.

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Prashant

Hi, I’m Prashant Jain — a curious soul, storyteller, and content creator at heart.I’ve always been drawn to the world of entertainment, travel, sports, health & lifestyle — not just as a writer, but as someone who genuinely lives these experiences. Whether I’m binge-watching the latest OTT series, exploring offbeat spiritual destinations in India, or diving deep into wellness routines and cricket match insights, I love sharing what I discover with like-minded readers.
PopNewsBlend is my way of blending personal journeys with meaningful stories — ones that inform, inspire, and keep you ahead of the curve. Everything I write comes from real observations, hands-on experiences, and a deep passion for understanding the world around us.