Highlights:
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Kohli scored 124 off 108 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes.
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The knock was Kohli’s 85th international century and 54th in ODIs.
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Kohli became the highest run-scorer at No. 3 in ODI history, overtaking Ricky Ponting.
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New Zealand won their first-ever ODI series on Indian soil.
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Harshit Rana scored his maiden ODI fifty during a 99-run stand with Kohli.
Virat Kohli delivered a high-quality century in the third One Day International against New Zealand, but his effort was not enough to prevent India from losing both the match and the series. Kohli’s coach, Rajkumar Sharma, praised the batter’s form and commitment, while also identifying India’s loss of wickets as the main reason behind the defeat.
India went down by 41 runs at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on January 18, 2026, as New Zealand completed a historic ODI series victory in India for the first time. Despite Kohli’s resistance, India could not chase down a challenging target.
Kohli’s innings earns praise from Rajkumar Sharma
Kohli scored 124 runs off 108 deliveries, striking 10 boundaries and three sixes. His innings was the standout performance in India’s chase and briefly kept hopes alive.
Speaking to ANI, Rajkumar Sharma said, “He played a brilliant innings yesterday and showed what kind of form he is in. Unfortunately, he couldn’t win the match for India because too many wickets fell. The way he played for his team and country is commendable.”
Sharma’s comments reflected the balance of the contest. While Kohli controlled the innings from the No. 3 position, regular wickets at the other end prevented India from building sustained partnerships.
Kohli continues to rewrite ODI records
The century marked Kohli’s 85th international hundred and his 54th in One Day Internationals, further strengthening his position among the most prolific batters in the history of the game. It was also Kohli’s seventh ODI century against New Zealand, achieved in just 36 innings, the most by any batter against the side in the format.
Across formats, Kohli now has ten centuries against New Zealand, including three in Test cricket. Among Indian batters, no one has scored more hundreds against the Kiwis.
Kohli becomes highest run-scorer at No. 3 in ODIs
Another significant milestone came during the innings as Kohli surpassed Ricky Ponting to become the leading run-scorer at the No. 3 position in ODI cricket. In 244 innings at No. 3, Kohli has amassed 12,676 runs at an average of 61.53. His record includes 47 centuries and 67 half-centuries, with a highest score of 183.
Kohli’s consistency at No. 3 has been central to India’s ODI success over the past decade, and his performance in Indore once again highlighted his importance to the batting lineup.
Kohli and Rana fight back after early setbacks
India’s chase suffered early blows as wickets fell at regular intervals. Kohli anchored the innings and found support from lower-order batter Harshit Rana. The pair added 99 runs together, with Rana registering his maiden ODI fifty.
The partnership briefly shifted momentum, but New Zealand maintained control through disciplined bowling and fielding. Once Kohli was dismissed, India’s chances faded quickly.
New Zealand capitalizes on strong batting display
Earlier, New Zealand posted a formidable total of 337 for 8. Daryl Mitchell scored an unbeaten 137, while Glenn Phillips added 106, giving the visitors a strong platform. Indian bowlers Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh claimed three wickets between them, but New Zealand’s top-order contributions ensured a competitive total.
The target proved too steep for India despite Kohli’s century, and New Zealand closed out the match to seal the series.
Kohli’s form a positive despite series loss
While the series result was disappointing for India, Kohli’s performance stood out as a major positive. His innings reinforced his role as India’s leading run-scorer and one of the game’s most reliable performers under pressure.
Rajkumar Sharma’s assessment underlined a broader point. Individual brilliance, even from a player of Kohli’s stature, cannot always compensate for collective shortcomings.
Kohli looks ahead as India regroups
India will now look to regroup ahead of upcoming fixtures, with Kohli’s form providing confidence for the batting unit. Kohli continues to close in on Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries, a milestone that remains a focus for fans and observers worldwide.
For now, Kohli’s century in the third ODI stands as a reminder of his enduring class, even as New Zealand walks away with a landmark series win on Indian soil.
