Indore, India – New Zealand's national cricket team, the Black Caps, made history on Sunday, January 18, 2026, by securing their first-ever One Day International (ODI) series victory on Indian soil. The Black Caps defeated India by 41 runs in a thrilling third and final ODI match held at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, clinching the three-match series 2-1. This landmark achievement ends decades of New Zealand's pursuit of an ODI series triumph in India.
Decisive Third ODI Performance
The decisive third ODI saw New Zealand post a formidable total of 337 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs after India won the toss and chose to bowl first. The innings was anchored by exceptional centuries from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips. Mitchell, in stellar form, scored 137 runs off 131 balls, hitting 15 fours and 3 sixes. Glenn Phillips provided explosive support, smashing 106 runs off just 88 deliveries, including 9 fours and 3 sixes. Their magnificent 219-run fourth-wicket partnership rescued New Zealand from an early precarious position of 58 for 3. India's pace attack, led by Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, had provided a dream start by dismissing New Zealand's openers cheaply.[icc-cricket+16]
Chasing 338 for victory, India faced early setbacks, losing key wickets rapidly. Openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill fell for 11 and 23 runs respectively, leaving India struggling. Despite a valiant effort from former captain Virat Kohli, who scored a brilliant 124 runs off 108 balls, India was eventually bowled out for 296 in 46 overs. Kohli's innings, which included 10 fours and 3 sixes, marked his 54th ODI century and 85th international century overall. He also became the player with the most centuries (seven) against New Zealand in ODIs. However, his heroic knock was not enough to steer India to victory. Indian all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana also contributed with half-centuries, scoring 53 and 52 respectively, trying to keep India in the hunt. New Zealand's bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings, with Zakary Foulkes and Kristian Clarke each taking 3 wickets. Left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox chipped in with 2 wickets for 42 runs from his 10 overs.[icc-cricket+19]
A Historic Achievement for the Black Caps
This series victory marks a significant milestone in New Zealand cricket history. Prior to this series, the Black Caps had never won a bilateral ODI series against India in India in seven previous attempts. The triumph is particularly noteworthy as India boasts a dominant home record, and the Holkar Stadium itself had been an Indian fortress, with the home team winning all seven of its previous ODIs at the venue.[1news]
New Zealand's journey to this historic win was not straightforward. India had initially taken a 1-0 lead in the series, winning the first ODI in Vadodara by four wickets. However, the Black Caps staged a strong comeback, leveling the series with a seven-wicket victory in the second ODI in Rajkot, powered by Daryl Mitchell's unbeaten 131 runs. The team then carried this momentum into the final match in Indore to seal the series.[1news+5]
Beyond this ODI series, New Zealand has also had recent success in India, having beaten the hosts 3-0 in a Test series in 2024. This shows a growing ability of the Black Caps to perform strongly in challenging Indian conditions.[1news+1]
Key Performances and Team Resilience
The performance of Daryl Mitchell was central to New Zealand's success, with his two consecutive centuries in the second and third ODIs proving crucial. His ability to build innings under pressure, particularly in the series decider, showcased his immense value to the team. Glenn Phillips' aggressive approach, complementing Mitchell's solidity, provided the necessary impetus to set a challenging target. The resilience of the New Zealand side was evident throughout the series, especially considering they were without several first-choice players.
Reflecting on the triumph, New Zealand's Jayden Lennox emphasized the significance of the win. "Wouldn't say easy. Seeing a star-studded line-up, to put winning performances is special," Lennox stated. He added that it was "special to have our first one-day series here," crediting the team's ability to perform under pressure despite their relative inexperience.[1news+2]
Indian captain Shubman Gill expressed disappointment over India's performance. "After the first match, coming here 1-1, the way we played - disappointed," Gill said. He acknowledged areas where the team needed to improve, while also highlighting positives like Virat Kohli's batting and Harshit Rana's performance at number 8.[evrimagaci+2]
What Comes Next
With the ODI series concluded, both teams will now shift their focus to the five-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series. The T20I series is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. This upcoming series holds particular importance as it will serve as crucial preparation for both India and New Zealand ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which starts on February 7. Matches in the T20I series are slated to be played across various Indian venues, including Nagpur, Raipur, and Guwahati.[icc-cricket+10]
Historically, India and New Zealand have faced each other in 122 ODIs, with India winning 63 matches and New Zealand securing 51 victories. This recent series win significantly adds to New Zealand's record against a formidable Indian side in their home conditions. The Black Caps' historic ODI series win in India sets a compelling stage for the eagerly anticipated T20I encounters.[bcci+2]
