New Zealand made history by winning their first-ever ODI series on Indian soil, defeating India in the third ODI. Chasing a target of 338, India was bowled out for 296, highlighting major shortcomings in the batting line-up despite a valiant effort from captain Virat Kohli.
Series-Defining Defeat for India
New Zealand batted first and posted a formidable total of 337 runs, placing immense pressure on India in a high-stakes decider.
India’s response was inconsistent, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Only Virat Kohli, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana offered meaningful resistance in an otherwise struggling batting order.
Shreyas Iyer’s Missed Opportunity
After the early dismissal of both openers, vice-captain Shreyas Iyer walked in but managed only 3 runs. His early exit in this crucial match, caught by Chris Clarke, dashed India’s hopes of building a stabilising partnership in the middle order.
Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 11, while Shubman Gill, who scored 23, was out at 45. The Indian innings lacked the steadying hand required to chase the large total.
KL Rahul’s Soft Dismissal
KL Rahul, who had celebrated a century in the previous game, faltered this time, scoring only 1 run off 6 balls. A well-placed delivery from Jaden Lennox led to a simple catch by Glenn Phillips, further weakening India’s chase.
Lower-Order Collapse: Jadeja and Reddy
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s 53 and his partnership with Kohli momentarily revived India’s chances. However, after Reddy’s dismissal, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja failed under pressure, playing an irresponsible shot that resulted in his dismissal. This left the lower order exposed and effectively sealed the series for New Zealand.
New Zealand Makes History
The victory marks New Zealand’s first ODI series win on Indian soil, showcasing their ability to capitalize on India’s batting vulnerabilities. The series exposed the inconsistencies in India’s senior players and raised questions about their ability to handle high-pressure situations in crucial matches.