![Daryl Mitchell and Virat Kohli [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768807202472_DarylMitchellandViratKohli.jpg?type=hq)
Daryl Mitchell and Virat Kohli [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/x]
Virat Kohli slapped a regal 124 to lead India’s rescue act at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, but New Zealand still overcame the Indian challenge in the third ODI of the three-match series.
Securing the series 2-1 in the absence of regular skipper Mitchell Santner, the outcome marked New Zealand’s first-ever ODI series win on Indian soil, doing so roughly 14 months after registering their first Test series win in the country.
Daryl Mitchell anchored New Zealand’s ship throughout the three matches, and plundered identical match-winning hundreds in Rajkot and Indore. With 352 runs in just three innings at an astonishing batting average of 176, the batting all-rounder fittingly bagged the ‘Player of the Series’ award.
Notably, Daryl Mitchell also received a significant praise from modern-day run machine and Indian icon Virat Kohli. Not only did Kohli gave Mitchell a pat on the back after his dismissal, the former Indian skipper also gifted him a signed jersey during the post-match presentation ceremony.
Virat Kohli demonstrates sporting gesture for NZ hero Daryl Mitchell
During the post-match presentation ceremony, Virat Kohli was spotted approaching New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell. In a video circulating on social media, the former Indian skipper can be seen gifting his signed jersey to New Zealand’s hero and ‘Player of the Series’ for his batting heroics throughout the three matches.
Daryl Mitchell acknowledged Kohli’s sporting gesture with a handshake before the two cricketers shared a warm embrace, capping off the moment in a show of mutual respect between opponents.
Virat Kohli himself emerged as Team India’s most proficient batter in the series, scoring 240 runs in three innings at an average of 80. The legendary Indian batter started off with a match-winning 93-run knock from 91 balls at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara last week.
In the series-deciding third ODI, Virat punched out 124 from 107 balls as the Indian team made a match out of New Zealand’s 337-run total after slipping to 71-4 in 13 overs. His dismissal eventually tilted the tide back in New Zealand’s favor as the ‘Men in Blue’ succumbed for just 296 in 46 overs.
When will Virat next play for Team India?
Having already announced his retirements from Test and T20I cricket, Kohli will next be seen gracing the Indian jersey during a home ODI series against Afghanistan. The series will likely be played in June, i.e., shortly after the conclusion of the IPL 2026 season in India.
Virat Kohli will also likely tour England for a short ODI series, as the legendary Indian batter preps himself up for next year’s 2027 ODI World Cup.
As of now, the 37-year-old is scheduled to play the upcoming IPL 2026 season for the RCB franchise. For once, Kohli will start an IPL season as part of a ‘defending champions’ group, considering RCB lifted the IPL trophy last year by defeating Punjab Kings in a nail-biting final.
