Wellington (Parliament Politics Magazine) January 18, 2026 – Daryl Mitchell smashed an unbeaten 127 to guide New Zealand to an eight-wicket victory over India in the decisive third ODI at Basin Reserve, completing a 3-0 series whitewash. The Black Caps chased down 286 in just 47.3 overs, with Glenn Phillips also notching an unbeaten century (100). Mitchell’s knock, featuring 12 fours and six sixes off 122 balls, included a fourth ODI hundred on Indian soil.
India reached 285-9 after New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss and bowled first. Shubman Gill top-scored with 104, supported by Tilak Varma’s 70, but regular strikes from Jacob Duffy (3-54) and Mitchell Santner (2-43) restricted the total.
New Zealand lost early wickets but recovered through a match-defining 189-run fourth-wicket stand between Mitchell and Phillips. The hosts finished on 289-2, extending their ODI winning streak to eight matches.
Both teams fielded unchanged XIs from the second ODI. Latham praised the Basin Reserve surface for offering balanced conditions throughout the day.
Daryl Mitchell Anchors Clinical Chase with Fourth Indian Century
Daryl Mitchell walked in at 66-2 in the 17th over and dominated from the outset, reaching his half-century off 65 balls before unleashing a flurry of boundaries. He brought up his fourth ODI century in India with a towering six off Kuldeep Yadav, joining Nathan Astle as New Zealand’s joint-most prolific centurions on subcontinental soil.
Cricket statistician Saket Bardekar highlighted Mitchell’s subcontinental mastery on social media. Saket Bardekar (@CallitCricket) said in X post,
“This is the fourth ODI century for Daryl Mitchell in India – the joint-most for a New Zealand batter alongside Nathan Astle. #INDVNZ”
This is the fourth ODI century for Daryl Mitchell in India – the joint-most for a New Zealand batter alongside Nathan Astle.#INDVNZ
— Saket Bardekar (@CallitCricket) January 18, 2026
Glenn Phillips complemented Mitchell perfectly, racing to his hundred off 78 balls with 10 fours and five sixes. The duo passed the 200-run mark for their partnership in the 41st over, reaching the target with 32 balls and two wickets to spare. Mitchell faced 122 deliveries, retiring briefly for treatment before returning to finish unbeaten.
New Zealand’s chase peaked at 266-3 after 42 overs, prompting excitement about a potential historic chase on Indian pitches. CricX noted the dramatic scenario unfolding. CricX – The Cricket Exchange Agency (@cricketagency) said in X post,
“New Zealand has never won a bilateral men’s ODI series in India… … they’re tied 1-1, and currently 266-3 (42 overs) with Daryl Mitchell (127) & Glenn Phillips (100)! Could they do it here? Oh, should flag, the last time they were in India, they sealed a historic 3-0 series clean sweep over India. The @BLACKCAPS hey… they always find a way! @ICC @NZCPA @ESPNcricinfo #Blackcaps #CricketNation #INDvNZ #BCCI”
New Zealand has never won a bilateral men’s ODI series in India…
… they’re tied 1-1, and currently 266-3 (42 overs) with Daryl Mitchell (127) & Glenn Phillips (100)!
Could they do it here?
Oh, should flag, the last time they were in India, they sealed a historic 3-0… https://t.co/vgrhcWgpOC
— CricX – The Cricket Exchange Agency (@cricketagency) January 18, 2026
India’s bowlers struggled for penetration, with Washington Sundar (0-48) and Kuldeep Yadav (0-55) returning wicketless figures. Axar Patel claimed 1-47, dismissing Rachin Ravindra.
India’s Batting Innings Built Around Gill’s Patient Ton
India openers Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan provided a solid platform, adding 78 runs before Sudharsan fell for 33 off Jacob Duffy. Gill, promoted to captain, anchored the innings with his second century of the series—104 off 120 balls including 10 fours and two sixes.
Tilak Varma joined Gill for a crucial 95-run fourth-wicket partnership, Varma scoring 70 off 65 balls with seven fours and three sixes. The middle order crumbled however, with Mitchell Santner removing Varma and Washington Sundar (26) in quick succession.
Lockie Ferguson (2-60) and Trent Boult (1-52) shared five wickets. India lost their last five wickets for just 38 runs, finishing at 285-9 after 50 overs. Arshdeep Singh (18*) and Deepak Chahar (12) added late resistance.
The Basin Reserve pitch offered early seam movement before flattening out, typical of Wellington’s summer conditions with temperatures around 25°C and light winds.
New Zealand Overcomes Early Setback in Text-Book Chase
Finn Allen departed early for 12, bowled by Mohammed Siraj’s inswinger in the seventh over. Will Young (35) and Rachin Ravindra (42) rebuilt with a 54-run stand before Young edged Axar Patel to KL Rahul.
Ravindra fell stumped off Kuldeep Yadav for 42, bringing Mitchell and Phillips together at 111-3. The pair rotated strike expertly against spin before unleashing boundaries in the batting powerplay. Mitchell cleared the ropes six times, Phillips five times.
Tom Latham, unbeaten on 15, watched from the non-striker’s end as his middle order delivered. New Zealand’s chase marked their highest successful ODI total at Basin Reserve since 2018.
First ODI: Finn Allen’s Fireworks Set Series Tone
New Zealand launched the series with a six-wicket win in Hamilton on January 14, chasing 267 in 42.2 overs. Finn Allen’s explosive 68 off 26 balls—eight fours, five sixes—rocketed the Black Caps to 85-0 in powerplay.
Daryl Mitchell (72*) and Rachin Ravindra (44) finished the chase comfortably. Jacob Duffy’s 4-42 restricted India to 266-9, with Shubman Gill scoring 82 and Tilak Varma 51.
Allen earned player of the match honours. India rotated their attack but struggled against New Zealand’s power-hitting.
Scorecard Highlights:
- India 266-9 (50 ovs): Gill 82, Varma 51; Duffy 4-42
- New Zealand 267-4 (42.2 ovs): Allen 68 (26), Mitchell 72*
Second ODI Thriller Goes Down to Wire
Nelson hosted a tense second ODI on January 16, where New Zealand edged India by four wickets with nine balls remaining. India posted 275-7, powered by Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 89 (73 balls) and Washington Sundar’s 65 (72 balls).
New Zealand slumped to 132-6 before Glenn Phillips (52*) and Mitchell Santner (41*) added unbeaten 91. Lockie Ferguson’s 3-52 earned man of the match, dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sai Sudharsan, and KL Rahul.
Daryl Mitchell contributed 38 in the chase. The match showcased New Zealand’s lower-order resilience.
Scorecard Highlights:
- India 275-7 (50 ovs): Varma 89*, Sundar 65; Ferguson 3-52
- New Zealand 276-6 (48.3 ovs): Phillips 52*, Santner 41*; Chahar 2-45
Full Playing XIs and Squad Rotations
New Zealand XI (3rd ODI): Finn Allen, Will Young, Rach Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (capt & wk), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
India XI (3rd ODI): Shubman Gill (capt), Sai Sudharsan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh.
Both captains resisted changes despite the clean sweep. New Zealand rested Tim Southee after two games; India kept faith in their seam attack despite batting collapses.
Series Statistics and Player Form Guides
Daryl Mitchell dominated with 281 runs at 140.50 average, including two centuries. Glenn Phillips aggregated 224 runs at 112 strike rate. Finn Allen scored 150 runs across three innings.
Shubman Gill led India with 248 runs (avg 82.66), Tilak Varma 207 (avg 103.50). Jacob Duffy topped bowling with 8 wickets at 20.37 economy.
Top Run-Scorers:
- Daryl Mitchell (NZ) – 281 runs, avg 140.50
- Shubman Gill (IND) – 248 runs, avg 82.66
- Tilak Varma (IND) – 207 runs, avg 103.50
Top Wicket-Takers:
- Jacob Duffy (NZ) – 8 wkts, avg 20.37
- Lockie Ferguson (NZ) – 6 wkts, avg 28.50
- Mitchell Santner (NZ) – 5 wkts, avg 25.20
Basin Reserve Conditions and Match Officials
Basin Reserve’s picturesque setting featured 8.12m straight boundaries and sea breezes moderating swing bowling. The pitch assisted seamers early before batsmen dominated.
Umpires Shaun Haig and Wayne Knights officiated, with Chris Gaffaney on TV duties. No DRS referrals proved controversial. A crowd of 12,500 attended under clear skies.
Captains’ Post-Match Reflections and Coach Comments
Tom Latham said,
“Daryl and Glenn showed real class under pressure. Our bowling laid the perfect platform.”
As per ESPNcricinfo’s Nagraj Gollapudi, Latham praised seam discipline.
Shubman Gill admitted,
“We got 20-30 runs more than par, but couldn’t defend. Daryl was outstanding.”
Coach Morne Morkel highlighted dropped catches costing momentum.
Historical Context of India-New Zealand ODI Rivalry
The teams met 119 times in ODIs prior to this series, India leading 59-54 with 6 no-results. New Zealand’s first bilateral series win in India remains elusive despite this home sweep.
Basin Reserve hosted 63 ODIs, New Zealand winning 35 of 43 home fixtures. Daryl Mitchell’s subcontinental exploits echo Nathan Astle’s record.
Upcoming T20I Series and Tournament Implications
Three T20Is follow starting January 22 at Eden Park, Auckland. New Zealand aims to continue momentum; India seeks consolation after ODI disappointment.
Both teams eye ICC Champions Trophy 2027 preparation. New Zealand rises to third in ODI rankings, India drops to second.
IPL preparations begin for Indians; Black Caps target home tri-series next month.
Basin Reserve’s ODI Legacy and Crowd Atmosphere
Since 1974, Basin Reserve hosted iconic clashes including the 1999 New Zealand-Australia tie. Highest chase: 307 vs West Indies (2006). Mitchell’s knock joins chase greats.
NRL-style atmosphere featured Black Cap flags waving during the final overs. Gate revenue exceeded NZ$1.2 million across the series.