Batting first, New Zealand posted an imposing 337 for 8 in their 50 overs, recovering superbly after an early collapse.
The visitors were reeling at 5 for 2 before Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips turned the game on its head with a match-defining partnership. Mitchell played a magnificent knock of 137 off 131 balls, striking 15 fours and three sixes, while Phillips complemented him with a fluent 106 off 88 deliveries, which included nine fours and three sixes.
The duo added crucial momentum in the middle and death overs, allowing New Zealand to accelerate late in the innings.
Captain Michael Bracewell provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 28 off 18 balls. For India, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana picked up three wickets each, while Mohammed Siraj claimed one.
In reply, India’s chase of 338 got off to a shaky start, losing both openers inside the powerplay. Virat Kohli anchored the innings with a superb 124 off 108 balls, registering yet another century in a losing cause.
He found support from Nitish Kumar Reddy, who scored a fighting 53, and Harshit Rana, whose late cameo of 52 off 43 balls briefly kept India in the contest.
However, regular wickets at the other end stalled India’s momentum. New Zealand’s bowlers kept striking at key moments, with Zak Foulkes and Kristian Clarke picking up three wickets each, while Jayden Lennox chipped in with two crucial breakthroughs. India were eventually bowled out for 296 in 45.6 overs, falling short by 41 runs.
