The third and final ODI between India and New Zealand at Holkar Stadium in Indore turned into a tense thriller on January 18, 2026, with Virat Kohli stepping up in classic chase-master mode after early setbacks. New Zealand posted a formidable 337/8, powered by Daryl Mitchell’s explosive 137 and Glenn Phillips’ 106, setting up a daunting target. India lost openers Rohit Sharma (11) and captain Shubman Gill (23) cheaply, reducing them to 45/2 early, but Kohli arrived amid roaring cheers and immediately shifted gears.
Kohli displayed vintage aggression, smashing back-to-back boundaries off Kristian Clarke through covers and midwicket, followed by a disdainful pull for six over deep midwicket off Zakary Foulkes. By the end of the powerplay (10 overs), India reached 66/2, with Kohli looking fluent and in control alongside Shreyas Iyer. His crisp drives and powerful pulls against the pacers kept the required rate manageable, injecting hope into the Indian camp. Fans erupted every time Kohli found the fence, highlighting his ability to dominate even under pressure.
New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Kyle Jamieson and Zakary Foulkes, struck early to unsettle the top order, but Kohli’s presence stabilized the innings. The partnership with Iyer aimed to rebuild while accelerating, as India needed a big stand to chase down the total on a batting-friendly Holkar pitch. Mitchell’s dismissal in the 45th over—top-edging to deep backward square—earned applause from Kohli, who playfully nudged him past the boundary in a memorable sportsmanlike gesture.
Also Read: Virat Kohli’s Playful Push Hilarious Moment with Daryl Mitchell Goes Viral
This series decider carried high stakes, with the teams level 1-1 after Kohli’s 93 anchored India’s win in Vadodara and Mitchell’s ton leveled it in Rajkot. Kohli’s boundary-laden start reignited discussions about his chase prowess, especially in Indore where India boast a perfect ODI record. As the match progressed into the middle overs, all eyes remained on whether Kohli could orchestrate another masterclass to seal the series.
With the chase heating up, India’s recovery hinged on Kohli’s continued dominance and support from the middle order. The contest showcased the fine balance between batting firepower and pressure bowling, keeping fans glued to what could be a thrilling finish in this high-scoring encounter.
Also Read: Virat Kohli’s Playful Push Hilarious Moment with Daryl Mitchell Goes Viral