VIRAT Kohli’s magnificent,combative century,forged with trademark resolve under mounting pressure,proved heart breakingly insufficient as India slumped to their first-ever bilateral ODI series defeat at home against New Zealand, losing the decider by41runs at the Holkar Stadium here on Sunday. Kohli’s 124 off 108 balls was a study in controlled aggression and steely temperament. The chase master shouldered the responsibility almost single handedly, counter-punching a disciplined New Zealand attack with crisp drives, well-judged pull sand calculated risks over the ropes.

 

As wickets tumbled regularly at the other end, Kohli dug in, refusing to let the chase drift away, but once he fell late in the innings, India’s resistance finally collapsed at 296 in 46 overs while chasing a stiff 338. The defeat not only handed NewZealanda 2-1 series winb ut also marked a historic first -- India had never before lost a home ODI series to the Kiwis. It was a so bering evening for the hosts, made more poignant by the fact that one of their finest modern-day batters had delivered a near-perfect response to adversity.

 

Earlier, Daryl Mitchell’s second consecutive hundred and Glenn Phillips’ blistering century powered New Zealand to a competitive337 for eight despite early jolts from India’s pace attack. Mitchell (137) and Phillips (106)stitched together a 219-run partnership for the fourth wicket that turned the innings on its head. Calm and authoritative, Mitchell anchored the stand while Phillips provided the momentum, allowing New Zealand to shift gears after a cautious start.

 

India were control ling the innings at one stage,having reduced the visitors to 58 for three but Mitchell and Phillips made it a contest. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, brought in for Prasidh Krishna, made an immediate impact by removing Henry Nicholls (0) with a beauty in the opening over. Coming closer to the off-stump, Arshdeep (3-63) shaped the ball away to perfection as Nicholls, caught in two minds,with drew his bat late and saw the delivery take the inside edge and crash into the leg stump.