Last Updated on 2 months ago by Charbel Coorey
Just over a year after they ended India’s Test juggernaut at home with a convincing 3-0 victory, the New Zealand Men’s cricket team scripted another historic feat last night in Indore, as they clinched their maiden bilateral ODI series win on Indian soil after seven unsuccessful attempts.
As was the case in the first two ODIs, middle-order batsman Daryl Mitchell again proved to be India’s nemesis, as he smashed yet another hundred (137 off 131 deliveries). This time, he got great support from all-rounder Glenn Phillips, who struck a breathtaking 88-ball 106 to lift the Blackcaps to 8-337 in 50 overs. Indian spinners once again proved to be ineffective, with Ravindra Jadeja (0-41 in six) and Kuldeep Yadav (1-48 in six) failing to make any impact whatsoever.
However, a target of 338 on a flat pitch under lights against an inexperienced New Zealand bowling attack shouldn’t have been a problem, until it was. Poor strokeplay from four out of the top five meant that the hosts found themselves reeling at 4/71 by the end of 13 overs, with hopes of the nation firmly resting on Virat Kohli’s shoulders once again.
And Kohli, as he has done throughout his career, did not disappoint. The Indian run machine looked in imperious touch from the outset and went on to register his third century in the last seven innings and overall 54th in the format. He got great support from Nitish Reddy (53 off 57) and Harshit Rana (52 off 43), but it ultimately proved to be a bridge too far.
After Reddy and Rana fell against the run of play, Kohli got hamstrung with tailenders at the other end, and when he ultimately fell for a supremely well-made 108-ball 124, India’s fate had been sealed.
This is India’s second bilateral ODI series defeat in the last three rubbers, with their only win this season coming against South Africa (2-1) at home last month.
Fans lash at Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir following ODI home series defeat to inexperienced New Zealand
India continue to break their long-held proud records under head coach Gautam Gambhir. After being whitewashed twice at home in Tests in the last 15 months, the Men in Blue have now suffered a bilateral home series defeat on home soil to New Zealand for the first time.
Naturally, fans are disappointed with India’s decline under Gambhir, and the latest series defeat once again triggered calls for his removal.
Below are reactions from Indian fans on X (formerly Twitter) following the home side’s 1-2 defeat to New Zealand:
