Virat Kohli suffers heartbreak, barely celebrates 54th century as New Zealand seal historic ODI series win against India

Virat Kohli's century went in vain as New Zealand defeated India by 41 runs in the third ODI to win the three-match series 2-1.

Virat Kohli's 54th ODI century ended in vain as India went down in the third and final ODI against New Zealand by 41 runs at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday. Chasing 338, India kept losing wickets at regular intervals, with only the chase master Kohli keeping India in with a chance. The 37-year-old did find support in Nitish Kumar Reddy and then Harshit Rana as the duo hit half-centuries, but every time India got on top, they lost a wicket against the run of play. At one stage, it seemed as if Rana and Kohli would seal the game, but it was too much to get with too little left. Rana perished trying to go for a big shot, and Kohli eventually holed out in the deep, allowing New Zealand to break their duck.

Virat Kohli's century went in vain on Sunday. (AP)

With this win, New Zealand registered their first-ever bilateral ODI series win in India, a little over two gears after the Kiwis whitewashed India in 2024’s three-match Test series. Incidentally, both results have come under Gautam Gambhir's coaching.

Kohli fought a lone battle, showing the world once again why he is the chase master. India got off to a poor start as Rohit Sharma (11) lost his wicket cheaply, bringing Kohli to the middle. Kyle Jamieson bowled a probing over to Kohli, but the batter was experienced enough to bide his time and play out the testing phase. However, India captain Gill (23) soon got out, and Shreyas Iyer (3) and KL Rahul (1) followed suit, leaving India in trouble.

Kohli then guided Nitish Kumar Reddy through as the duo formed an 88-run stand for the fifth wicket. However, as soon as India started to string together boundaries, Reddy (53) lost his wicket after scoring his maiden half-century. Ravindra Jadeja (12) once again failed to leave an impression.

Kohli reached his 85th international century off the bowling of Zakary Foulkes, in 91 balls. However, there were no flashy celebrations, as Kohli knew the severity of the task. He simply raised his bat to acknowledge the loud cheers of the Indore crowd before resuming business as usual. The entire Indian camp gave him a standing ovation: even head coach Gautam Gambhir couldn't help but applaud from the dugout. This was Kohli's third century in the last six ODIs for India. During the course of this knock, Kohli also went past former Australia captain Ricky Ponting to register the most runs while batting at the No.3.

After the loss of Jadeja, all seemed doom and gloom for India, but Rana had other plans as he, along with Kohli, stitched a partnership of 99 runs for the seventh wicket. Both unleashed big shots to put the crowd in Indore on its feet. However, Rana (52), in a rush of blood, ended up giving his wicket away, and Mohammed Siraj departed on the very next ball for a duck.

It all boiled down to Kohli, but the task proved too much even for the King, and once he was dismissed for 124, it was just a matter of time.

Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips make full merry

Earlier, New Zealand posted 337/8 as Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips hit centuries. Mitchell, who aggregated 352 runs in the three-match series, hammered 137 in the decider while Phillips scored 106.

Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit made a good start with the ball, removing New Zealand openers Henry Nicholls and Devon Conway. Will Young and Mitchell then put together a brief 53-run stand for the third wicket, but it was Phillips and Mitchell who put the hosts on the back foot with their 219-run partnership.

The Indian bowlers clawed their way back in the death overs but New Zealand skipper Michael Bracewell managed to get 10 runs off the final two balls, allowing the visitors to post a solid total.