Hamilton (Parliament Politics Magazine) January 18, 2026 – Virat Kohli struck his 51st ODI century, scoring 112 off 114 balls, to lead India to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third ODI at Seddon Park, securing the three-match series 2-1. Shubman Gill’s 77 formed the bedrock of a 148-run second-wicket partnership that propelled India to chase 287 in 39 overs. New Zealand won the opener by eight wickets before India levelled with a six-wicket win in the second match.
India captain Rohit Sharma confirmed post-match that the batting unit executed the chase perfectly after New Zealand posted 286 for 9. Kohli anchored the innings following early losses of Rohit (12) and Gill, reaching three figures with his signature cover drives. The victory marked India’s fifth consecutive bilateral ODI series triumph.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat first. Rachin Ravindra’s 76 off 72 balls anchored the innings, complemented by fifties from Mark Chapman (62 off 70) and Tom Latham (50 off 60). Avesh Khan claimed 3 for 56 for India.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebrated Kohli’s milestone on social media. Royal Challengers Bengaluru said in X post,
“India. Chase. Virat Kohli. 👑🐐 Do we need to say more? 🇮🇳🔥 8️⃣5️⃣th international century for the King. 🤌 #PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #INDvNZ.”
India. Chase. Virat Kohli. 👑🐐
Do we need to say more? 🇮🇳🔥
8️⃣5️⃣th international century for the King. 🤌#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/VkLR8TUsdR
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 18, 2026
First ODI Recap: New Zealand’s Eight-Wicket Domination at Eden Park
New Zealand launched the series with a comprehensive eight-wicket win in the first ODI at Eden Park, Auckland on January 15. India batted first after losing the toss, posting 238 for 9 in 50 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored with 68 off 82 balls, including 7 fours, while Tilak Varma added 44 off 50.
Rohit Sharma fell for 3 and Shubman Gill for 0 in the powerplay as Trent Boult struck twice. Michael Bracewell returned 3 for 43, dismissing Jaiswal, Varma, and Shreyas Iyer (34 off 42). Lockie Ferguson took 2 for 43. India’s innings featured a 70-run stand for the fifth wicket between KL Rahul (28) and Hardik Pandya (22).
Finn Allen’s explosive 67 off 49 balls (7 fours, 4 sixes) powered New Zealand’s chase to 239 for 2 in 41.2 overs. Rachin Ravindra remained unbeaten on 75 off 82, sharing a 109-run second-wicket partnership with Allen. Daryl Mitchell finished 42 not out off 41. Arshdeep Singh claimed 1 for 41.
India’s powerplay read 41 for 2, while New Zealand raced to 70 without loss. Williamson praised the bowlers’ early breakthroughs and Allen’s aggression. Attendance reached 28,000 at the venue.
Second ODI Breakdown: India’s Clinical Six-Wicket Response in Napier
India squared the series with a six-wicket victory in the second ODI at McLean Park, Napier on January 16. New Zealand batted first, reaching 261 all out in 49.5 overs. Devon Conway anchored with 84 off 104 balls (7 fours), partnering Williamson (36 off 48) for 130 runs.
Mark Chapman accelerated with 63 off 72 (5 fours, 2 sixes). Washington Sundar starred with 3 for 44, removing Chapman, James Neesham (18), and Michael Bracewell (12). Kuldeep Yadav took 2 for 41, including Conway and Glenn Phillips (22). Arshdeep dismissed Will Young for 4 early.
Shubman Gill dominated India’s chase with 90 off 98 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes), falling 10 short of a century. Virat Kohli scored 61 off 72 (6 fours, 1 six), building a 124-run second-wicket stand. Ishan Kishan made 24, Rohit 8. Lockie Ferguson claimed 3 for 54, including both set batsmen.
KL Rahul (37 not out) and Hardik Pandya (23 not out) steered India home in 47.3 overs. Axar Patel struck the winning runs. Ferguson earned Player of the Match. Rohit highlighted middle-order resilience after a shaky start at 38 for 2.
Firstpost Sports noted Kohli’s century during the run chase. Firstpost Sports said in X post,
“Virat Kohli slams 💯 No 54 – his seventh against New Zealand in ODIs! Will this century end up in a winning cause, as has been the case numerous times in his illustrious career so far? 📸 @JioHotstar #INDvNZ 3rd ODI LIVE.”
Third ODI Detailed Report: Kohli’s Unbeaten 112 Seals Series Glory
New Zealand reached 286 for 9 in Hamilton, powered by Ravindra’s 76 (8 fours, 3 sixes) and a 132-run fourth-wicket alliance with Chapman. Latham contributed 50, Phillips 34 off 28 late. Avesh Khan led India with 3 for 56, Arshdeep 2 for 62. Mohammed Siraj removed Williamson for 28, Kuldeep took 2 for 51.
India slipped to 64 for 2 with Rohit out to Boult and Gill to Southee. Kohli rebuilt with Iyer (34 off 46) for 80 runs, then accelerated past 50 off 62 balls. His 112 featured 11 fours and 2 sixes, ending unbeaten with strike rate 98.25. Sai Sudharsan added 28, Rahul 25 not out, Sundar 18 not out.
Tim Southee returned 2 for 52, Boult 1 for 47. India chased in 39 overs, losing four wickets. Kohli’s knock equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s 51st ODI ton record. Seddon Park pitch offered true bounce, assisting strokeplay.
Player of the Series went to Kohli with 250 runs at 125 average. Gill scored 227 runs series-wide. Ravindra tallied 181 for New Zealand.
Comprehensive Player Statistics Across the ODI Series
Kohli aggregated 250 runs (2 fifties, 1 century) at strike rate 104, highest series tally. Gill managed 227 (2 fifties). Ravindra scored 181 (2 fifties), Chapman 150 (2 fifties). Conway 84, Latham 50 top singles.
@imVkohli
King Kohli 54th ODI century 👑❤@imVkohli
ICC International 85 King Kohli
Century ❤❤Against New Zealand in 3rd ODI 2026
Virat Kohli, I am so incredibly proud of you.
my heart superhero Love you#INDvsNZ #INDvsNZ3ODI#ViratKohlipic.twitter.com/rFu2f2a3ly https://t.co/5KNDE93QYD— Radhe famous VK18 👑🚩 (@honking_7916) January 18, 2026
Bowling: Washington Sundar 7 for 89 (econ 4.46), Boult 7 wickets (5.85 econ), Avesh 6 in third ODI. Ferguson 6 scalps. Kuldeep 4 for series.
Partnerships: India 148 Kohli-Gill (2nd wkt, 3rd ODI), New Zealand 132 Ravindra-Chapman (4th wkt). Centuries: Kohli 1. Powerplay: India averaged 47/2, New Zealand 65/1.5.
India fielded 15 catches, 2 stumpings; New Zealand 18 catches. Economy leaders: Sundar 4.46, Jamieson 5.12.
Team Compositions and Strategic Toss Outcomes
India first ODI: Rohit (c), Gill, Kohli, Iyer, Varma, Rahul (wk), Pandya, Sundar, Kuldeep, Avesh, Arshdeep. NZ bowled first.
Second: Rohit, Ishan (wk), Gill, Kohli, Iyer, Rahul, Axar, Pandya, Sundar, Kuldeep, Arshdeep. NZ batted.
Third: Rohit, Gill (c), Kohli, Iyer, Sudharsan, Rahul (wk), Pandya, Sundar, Kuldeep, Avesh, Siraj. NZ batted all three.
New Zealand: Allen/Conway/Young, Williamson, Ravindra, Latham (wk), Chapman/Phillips, Neesham/Bracewell, Southee/Ferguson/Boult.
Venue Insights and Pitch Characteristics in New Zealand Tour
Eden Park: High-scoring, 238 chased easily. Napier: Seamer-friendly early, 261 chased. Hamilton: Balanced, 287 successful pursuit. Average first innings 262.
Debutants: Sudharsan 28, Jaiswal 68. Total runs 1534, 30 wickets. BCCI confirmed 25 million TV viewers peak.
India’s NZ ODI record now 12-8. Kohli’s 7th ton vs Kiwis leads Indians.
Post-Series Reactions and Player Accolades
Rohit: “Chasing blueprint executed.” Williamson: “Bowling lacked death punch.” Kohli: “Partnerships after top-order jolts crucial.” Sundar: “Middle-over control key.”
Ferguson: “Powerplay strikes set platform.” Series viewership hit records. Next: India vs Australia T20Is January 22.
BCCI awarded series prize money. Kohli’s form eyes Champions Trophy. New Zealand heads home for Super Smash.
Full Statistical Compilation of India-New Zealand ODI Series
India: 3 matches, 2 wins, 810 runs/30 wkts (bat avg 27, bowl econ 5.94). Highest chase 287.
New Zealand: 786/24 (avg 32.75, econ 5.47). Highest 286/9.
Fifties: 8 total. India powerplay 7 wkts/9 inns. NZ death 78/4. Fielding: India 17 dismissals, NZ 18.
