Kohli's Century Can't Save India as New Zealand Clinches ODI Series

Following India's defeat to New Zealand in the ODI series on Sunday, January 19, 2026, captain Shubman Gill acknowledged that the team has “a lot of areas” requiring attention despite individual highlights.

Virat Kohli marked a new milestone by scoring his 54th ODI century; however, his efforts were overshadowed as India fell short by 41 runs while chasing 338. The hosts ended their innings at 296 all out in 46 overs on a batting-friendly pitch at the Holkar Stadium.

The Indian innings began poorly, collapsing to 71 for four. However, Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) and Harshit Rana (52) provided crucial resistance with their half-centuries. The early wickets made it challenging for India during the latter part of their chase.

After the match, Gill expressed disappointment over the team performance, especially with the series level at 1-1 going into the final game. He emphasized the necessity for reflection and improvement moving ahead.

Gill acknowledged Kohli's remarkable form as a key asset for the team and praised Rana for his lower-order contributions, highlighting the difficulty of batting at number eight. Furthermore, he pointed out the promising performances of the fast bowlers throughout the series.

Discussing Nitish Kumar Reddy, Gill mentioned that the management is considering the long-term objectives with the World Cup on the horizon. He noted that the young bowler is given chances to gain experience, helping the team find effective combinations.

Gill's comments came on the heels of assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate's earlier observations, suggesting that Nitish was not fully utilizing his limited playing time.

Daryl Mitchell of New Zealand was awarded Player of the Series after impressive scores of 84, 131 not out, and 137. He credited his consistent performances to maintaining focus. Winning a series in India, he remarked, holds special significance, attributing the triumph to strong partnerships.

New Zealand's captain Michael Bracewell termed the series victory historic, noting it's the country's first ODI series win in India since 1988. He highlighted the team's unity and adherence to strengths despite missing key players.

Bracewell celebrated Mitchell’s enduring consistency and the acknowledgment of his efforts. He reflected on the experiences gained by debutants during the series, showcasing the growing talent pool in New Zealand cricket.

Debutant Jayden Lennox played a crucial role in New Zealand's comeback in the last two matches. He remarked that the series win illustrates the abundance of talent back home, underscoring the importance of unpredictability and execution for left-arm spinners in limited-overs formats.

Lennox also noted that while competing in India can be intense, being part of a series-winning team was a memorable experience, emphasizing New Zealand's capability to shine in critical moments.