'Small country from bottom of the world': Virat Kohli century can't stop New Zealand's historic victory on Indian soil
Virat Kohli's century was in vain as New Zealand won its first ODI bilateral series on Indian soil with a 41-run victory in the third and final match on Sunday.
The Black Caps won the series 2-1 with Daryl Mitchell scoring 137 runs off 131 balls and Glenn Phillips hitting 106 of 88 balls as New Zealand reached 337-8.
In reply, Kohli led the Indian chase with 124 off 108 balls for his 54th ODI century, but the hosts were bowled out for 296 in 46 overs.
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In the previous seven bilateral ODI encounters, New Zealand had never beaten India on Indian soil.
But the Black Caps rallied to come from 1-0 behind in this series and levelled the three-match series with a seven-wicket victory.
Virat Kohli's century was not enough to stop New Zealand from taking victory. Instagram
"We're the sum of all the parts and we really try to work together as a group - that's part of the Kiwi way," captain Michael Bracewell said.
"We're just a small country from the bottom of the world and we try to work together to take on some of the bigger countries in the world.
"We really rally around there as a group and when things come like that, it's pretty special."
“To win here in India is special," he added.
“As a group, we focused on building partnerships. I love playing for my country and I have worked hard to be in this position.
"All those years in domestic cricket have helped me. It is always nice to contribute to the team.”
The Black Caps took the series 2-1. Twitter
India is the world's most populated nation with nearly one and a half billion people and are the top-ranked ODI side ahead of New Zealand, a country with just over five million people.
But the tiny country secured the series on Sunday evening at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, despite missing at least seven first-choice starters in its squad.
India had made one change with left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh coming into the side for Prasidh Krishna. New Zealand fielded an unchanged side.
It was India’s first loss in eight ODIs at the Holkar Stadium.
Put into bat after India captain Shubman Gill won the coin toss, New Zealand made a poor start.
Singh bowled Henry Nicholls for a golden duck and Devon Conway was out caught off Harshit Rana.
But Phillips and Mitchell then came together, adding 219 runs off 186 balls for the fourth wicket. It was the second-highest partnership for New Zealand against India in ODIs for any wicket.
Mitchell scored a second consecutive hundred in the series, reaching 100 off 106 balls, while Phillips was in a hurry after reaching 50 off 53 balls.
Virat Kohli's century was not enough to stop the New Zealand side. Twitter
Phillips scored the next 50 off only 30 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes before he was out caught in the 44th over.
New Zealand looked poised for an even bigger score at that point, but India bounced back with three quick blows and reduced the visitors to 286-6 within 13 deliveries.
Mitchell was out in the 45th over and finished with 352 runs in the three-match series, named player of the match as well as the overall series.
Bracewell was injured while batting but scored 28 off 18, pushing the score past 300 and proving to be beyond India’s reach.
Harshit Rana provided late fireworks, scoring his first half-century but fell in the 44th over – a blow to India’s hopes.
Kohli accelerated as he started running out of partners, reaching yet another century off 91 balls.
Eventually, the superstar batter was dismissed by Clarke, caught near the boundary by Mitchell in the 46th over.
The two sides will next play a five-match T20 series as preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
