India vs New Zealand | New Zealand tour of India, 2026 | 3rd ODI

A fitting end to the ODI series, with the ebbs and flows of the format on full display. A night to remember for Michael Bracewell and his men, all smiles as they pose with the trophy for the cameras. Attention now turns to the more consequential of the two white-ball series, with a five-match T20I series up next. With the T20 World Cup coming up, this series presents an ideal opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their combinations and preparations. The series gets underway in Nagpur on Wednesday, 21st January, with the first ball to be bowled at 1.30 pm GMT (7 pm IST). As always, you can join us early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

The captain of New Zealand, Michael Bracewell, shares that it is always a pleasure to play in India in front of such amazing crowds and against a quality Indian team. Mentions that you are always hopeful of playing good cricket, and they stuck to what worked as a team. Bracewell says that they always try to work their way up to take on some of the bigger teams. Tells that he is happy for Daryl Mitchell and he believes that this is the result of his hard work. Praises the debutants for stepping up and he feels the way they delivered speaks volumes about the depth in their ranks.

No surprises that Daryl Mitchell has been named the PLAYER OF THE MATCH as well as the PLAYER OF THE SERIES. Mitchell says that it's really nice to contribute towards the team and it is special to win here in India. Adds that they take pride in building partnerships, and the way Young and Phillips did with him was great. Tells that it is always nice to get stuck into moments in the game with your mates. Mentions that he just tries to be in the present, watch the ball and repeat and make some good decisions along the way. Says that Phillips is a mate, and it was awesome to see him get a 100. He has been out of the game for a while, but he is proud of how he has come back. Ends by saying that he just loves playing for his country, it took a while to get here but domestic cricket has helped him learn about his game a lot.

The captain of India, Shubman Gill says that the way they played after winning the first game was disappointing. Believes that there are areas that need improvement. Mentions that the way Harshit Rana batted at number 8 was a positive and the way pacers operated was good to see. Shares that keeping in mind where the next ODI World Cup is going to be held, they want to give opportunities to Nitish Kumar Reddy. Adds that they want to assess what combinations work for them and what kind of deliveries work for Reddy.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Jayden Lennox is in for a chat. Lennox says that he wouldn't say he found the Indian conditions easy. Adds that putting up winning performances against a star-studded side is very special, and it is incredible to win their first-ever ODI series here. Mentions that he does not overcomplicate his game, he has played on small grounds and takes pride in doing well at the death and creating pressure. Says that the aim for left-arm spinners in limited overs cricket is not be predictable and not let the batters get underneath or use their feet. Further adds that he thought the atmosphere here would make him more nervous, but he handled it well. Tells that they had a relatively inexperienced unit, but they have performed really well in pressure situations. Ends by crediting the New Zealand setup, who are operating and doing a great job.

Earlier, after being asked to bat first, New Zealand were reduced to 5/2, losing both openers within the first two overs, and Will Young was unable to make his start count. The recovery was led by Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips, who put together a marathon 219-run partnership. The pair were able to make up for the dots that had built up earlier, largely due to the disciplined bowling from the hosts. Both batters went on to register centuries, with Mitchell notching up his career-best ODI score of 139. Both fell within 7 balls heading into the death overs, which allowed India to claw things back. However, Michael Bracewell and contributions from the lower order helped the Kiwis reach 337.

The problem for India was that on either side of those partnerships, there were no substantial stands of note, and it left Kohli fighting a lone battle for much of the chase. A word, too, for Jayden Lennox, who in just his second ODI stepped up admirably and assumed the role of lead spinner in the absence of Michael Bracewell, who was unable to bowl due to a calf issue. Kyle Jamieson asked all the tough questions in the first Powerplay, while Zakary Foulkes and Kristian Clarke, though not as effective early on, played their part later by breaking the two budding partnerships.

Chasing 338, India lost Rohit Sharma early, while Shubman Gill was undone by a ripper from Kyle Jamieson. New Zealand continued to make inroads with a couple of quick strikes, reducing India to 71/4. Virat Kohli then held the chase together, first with Nitish Kumar Reddy through an 88-run stand, and later with a 99-run partnership alongside Harshit Rana. The stand with Rana, in particular, brought the hosts right back into the contest, but once it was broken, Kohli was left with too much to do.

Another piece of cricketing history has been written by New Zealand in India. They arrived in 2024 carrying the burden of never having won a Test series in the country, and they ticked that box. The Kiwis returned to Indian shores, having never won an ODI series here on their previous 7 tours, and they have now conquered that frontier as well. What makes it even more special is that they have achieved this feat with an inexperienced group, missing several established ODI regulars, and with a number of players touring India for the first time.

Direct hit! Kuldeep Yadav was struggling to make his ground. And he is indeed short of his crease, the replays confirm.

Arshdeep Singh is the last man in.