India vs New Zealand ODI 2026: Black Caps Script History with 2–1 Series Win

New Zealand finally won a bilateral ODI series in India after failing seven times before. They beat India by 41 runs in the final match to win the series 2–1, as India’s batting struggled badly. Virat Kohli and Harshit Rana fought hard but it was too much to do in the end. Fans got to see a Virat Kohli century but even the chasemaster could not get the job done for the Men in Blue. 

Earlier in the game, India won the toss and opted to bowl, and Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana gave the hosts a perfect start. Both New Zealand openers were back in the hut within the first seven balls of the innings. Daryl Mitchell then began cautiously, with Will Young providing good support as the pair added 53 runs for the third wicket before Young fell for 30. Glenn Phillips joined Mitchell thereafter, and the duo initially rebuilt before shifting gears to put the Indian bowlers under severe pressure. Their 219-run stand for the fourth wicket turned the game decisively in New Zealand’s favour.

New Zealand Clinch Historic ODI Series Win in India

Both batters went on to score centuries, Mitchell made 137 off 131 balls, while Phillips struck a brisk 106 off 88. New Zealand eventually posted an imposing 337/8 from their 50 overs. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana were the standout bowlers for India with three wickets each, while Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj picked up one apiece. In reply, India suffered early setbacks as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were dismissed inside the powerplay. Shreyas Iyer fell cheaply soon after, and KL Rahul perished for just one, leaving the hosts in trouble.

Virat Kohli then stitched together an 88-run partnership with Nitish Kumar Reddy to steady the innings, but Reddy departed soon after bringing up his maiden ODI half-century. Ravindra Jadeja followed with a rash stroke, though Harshit Rana briefly revived hopes by joining Kohli and scoring a maiden fifty. That stand of 99, however, did not last long, and wickets fell in quick succession thereafter.

Kohli went on to register his 54th ODI century and attempted to counterattack with the tailenders for company, but he miscued Kristian Clarke to long-off. Kuldeep Yadav was run out soon after as India were bowled out for 296 in 46 overs. Zak Foulkes and Kristian Clarke got three wickets each. Jayden Lennox got two, while Kyle Jamieson got one to give a young New Zealand side a memorable series win.

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by K D Mishra January 19, 2026