Virat Kohli has built his legacy on moments when pressure is at its peak and expectations are relentless. Even after so many years at the highest level, his hunger, composure and ability to shoulder responsibility continue to define India’s fight in difficult situations.
That familiar resolve was on display on Sunday evening in Indore, even though the final result did not go India’s way. Chasing a challenging target of 338, Virat Kohli produced a masterclass in control and temperament, scoring his 54th ODI hundred. His innings of 124 from 108 balls stood out as India struggled around him and it nearly dragged the team across the line despite the odds being stacked against them.
India’s chase began on a shaky note, with early wickets leaving the hosts reeling at 71 for four. With the top order back in the pavilion, Virat Kohli took it upon himself to steady the innings. He absorbed pressure, picked his moments carefully and gradually lifted the scoring rate without taking unnecessary risks. Even as wickets continued to fall at the other end, he remained calm and focused, refusing to let panic creep in.
His century drew loud applause from the crowd at the Holkar Stadium and earned praise from captain Shubman Gill who highlighted how valuable Virat Kohli’s presence is for the team. Shubman Gill also acknowledged the contributions of the lower middle order and bowlers across the series, pointing out that stepping up in difficult batting positions and delivering consistently with the ball is never easy. Despite those efforts, the captain admitted that there was disappointment after failing to build momentum following an evenly poised start to the series, and stressed the need for reflection and improvement.
Earlier, New Zealand had recovered impressively from their own early troubles to post a strong 337 for eight. After slipping to 58 for three, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips stitched together a crucial 219-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Daryl Mitchell played a composed and anchoring knock of 137, while Glenn Phillips added fluency and aggression with a well-paced 106, giving the visitors a commanding total on a batting-friendly surface with short boundaries.
In response, India did receive brief support from Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana, both of whom scored half-centuries, but the required rate kept climbing. Eventually, India were bowled out for 296 in 46 overs.
New Zealand held their nerve to seal a memorable and historic series victory in India, while Virat Kohli’s lone stand once again underlined why he remains the heartbeat of Indian cricket.
