IND vs NZ: After how many years did India lose an ODI series against New Zealand?

Centuries from Mitchell and Philips helped New Zealand win their first ODI series in India.

New Zealand scripted a remarkable chapter in their cricketing history on January 18, 2026, at Indore’s Holkar Stadium after defeating India (IND vs NZ) by 41 runs in the third and decisive ODI, clinching the three-match series 2-1.

This victory marks the Black Caps’ maiden bilateral ODI series triumph on Indian soil, a feat that had eluded them across seven previous tours since 1988/89. The decider was a high-stakes thriller. After Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first, New Zealand recovered from a shaky start at 58/3.

Daryl Mitchell delivered yet another masterclass with 137 off 131 balls while Glenn Phillips smashed 106 off 88, forging a massive 219-run fourth-wicket stand.

Chasing 338, India crumbled early, slumping to 71/4 in 12.5 overs. Virat Kohli mounted a heroic resistance, scoring 124 off 108 balls, to bring up his 54th ODI century, ably supported by Nitish Kumar Reddy’s 53 and Harshit Rana’s late 52.

Despite these efforts, India were bowled out for 296 in 46 overs, falling short by 41 runs. Kyle Jamieson and New Zealand’s disciplined attack exploited the pressure, ensuring the visitors overturned their 1-0 deficit.

After how many years did India lose against New Zealand in the ODI series?

This marks India‘s first ODI series loss to the Kiwis in three years, harking back to their previous defeat in the 2022-23 tour of New Zealand. In that rain-affected three-match rubber, the Kiwis won the opener by 7 wickets (chasing 306/7), with the remaining two games abandoned, handing them a 1-0 victory by default.

That series exposed India’s weaknesses in overseas conditions, without key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Historically, India’s first 50-over series loss to New Zealand dates back to their inaugural tour in 1975/76, a 2-0 whitewash in New Zealand.

However, in home conditions, New Zealand had never tasted series success until now. The closest the Kiwis came to an ODI series triumph on Indian soil was back in 2016-17, when they lost 2-3.

This victory, achieved by the weakened New Zealand side under Michael Bracewell’s captaincy in 2026, following their 3-0 Test series whitewash in India in 2024, demonstrates their resilience and adaptability to subcontinent challenges.

For India, it ends a remarkable streak of home bilateral ODI dominance and serves as a reality check ahead of future fifty-over assignments, including the 2027 Cricket World Cup.

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