Kohli's Century Not Enough as India Succumbs to New Zealand in ODI Series

India’s captain, Shubman Gill, acknowledged that the team has “a lot of areas” requiring enhancement, even with notable individual displays, after their ODI series defeat to New Zealand on January 19, 2026.

Virat Kohli, continuing his exceptional form, notched his 54th ODI century, yet it was insufficient as India lost the decisive match by 41 runs while pursuing a challenging target of 338. The home team was bowled out for 296 in 46 overs on a batting-friendly surface at the Holkar Stadium.

India got off to a rocky start in their pursuit, falling to 71 for four. Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) and Harshit Rana (52) battled back with their half-centuries, yet the early collapse proved too detrimental in the latter stages of the game.

After the match, Gill expressed disappointment with the team’s overall performance, particularly coming into the final game with the series level at 1-1. He emphasized the urgency for reflection and improvement as they move forward.

Gill pointed out Kohli’s form as a significant positive, highlighting how his batting continues to bolster the team’s efforts. He also commended Harshit Rana for his valuable contributions lower down the batting order, remarking on the challenges of performing in the number eight spot. The captain noted that the fast bowlers showed promising signs throughout the series.

Regarding Nitish Kumar Reddy, Gill stated that the management is assessing the long-term implications with the upcoming World Cup in view. He mentioned that the young player is being granted opportunities to bowl and gain crucial experience, allowing the team to evaluate optimal combinations and strategies for him.

These comments followed assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate’s previous statement after India’s second ODI loss, mentioning that Nitish wasn’t “doing a heck of a lot” with his limited playing time.

New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell was awarded Player of the Series for his scores of 84, 131 not out, and 137. The seasoned batsman remarked that staying focused on the present was key to his consistent performances. He cherished the series win in India, attributing success to effective partnerships within the team.

New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell termed the series victory historic, as it marked the nation’s first ODI series win in India since 1988. He expressed how the team adhered to its strengths and collaborated as a unit, even with several key players absent.

Bracewell lauded Mitchell for his long-term consistency and expressed satisfaction in seeing him receive accolades for his efforts. He also underscored the experience gained by debutants throughout the series, signifying the growing depth in New Zealand cricket.

Debutant Jayden Lennox, crucial in New Zealand’s comeback wins in the final two matches, stated that the series victory underscored the wealth of talent in New Zealand. He added that unpredictability and execution are vital for left-arm spinners in limited-overs cricket.

Lennox concluded that despite the intense atmosphere in India, it felt special to be part of a winning side, emphasizing that the outcome showcased New Zealand's capacity to shine in significant moments on prominent stages.