Kohli's Century Unavailing as India Loses ODI Series to New Zealand

Following India’s defeat in the ODI series against New Zealand on January 19, 2026, captain Shubman Gill acknowledged that the squad must address "a lot of areas" needing enhancement.

Virat Kohli notched up his 54th ODI century, extending his remarkable record, but it wasn’t enough as India succumbed by 41 runs while chasing a target of 338. The team finished at 296 all out in 46 overs on a bat-friendly pitch at the Holkar Stadium.

India faced an uphill battle right from the start, collapsing to 71 for four. However, Nitish Kumar Reddy (53) and Harshit Rana (52) put up a fight with their respective half-centuries, but the early setbacks made the chase too challenging.

Gill expressed disappointment with the overall team performance following the series tied at 1-1, emphasizing the importance of introspection and improvement moving forward.

He pointed to Kohli’s incredible form as a notable advantage for the team and lauded Harshit Rana for his valuable contributions, particularly batting at number eight. Gill noted encouraging signs from the fast bowlers throughout the series.

Regarding Nitish Kumar Reddy, Gill mentioned the team's emphasis on long-term planning with the World Cup ahead, ensuring the young talent gains vital experience in bowling to identify optimal team combinations.

Gill's comments echoed assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate's earlier remarks after the second ODI, where he acknowledged Nitish wasn't making the most of his limited playing opportunities.

Daryl Mitchell from New Zealand received the Player of the Series award after impressive scores of 84, 131 not out, and 137. He attributed his consistent performances to staying focused and described winning a series in India as extraordinary, with team synergy playing a pivotal role.

New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell hailed the series win as historic, marking their first ODI series victory in India since 1988. He commended the team's unity and adherence to their strengths, despite the absence of key players.

Bracewell praised Mitchell for his ongoing consistency and welcomed the recognition he deserved for his efforts. He also noted the valuable experience gained by debutants during the series, showcasing New Zealand's increasing depth in cricket.

Jayden Lennox, a debutant who had a significant impact in the final two matches, remarked that the series win demonstrated the talent available in New Zealand. He emphasized the importance of unpredictability and execution for left-arm spinners in limited-overs cricket.

Lennox concluded that while the Indian atmosphere was intense, it was a remarkable experience to be part of a victorious series, reaffirming New Zealand’s capability to perform in crucial moments.