After a promising start to the series with a knock of 74 off 51 balls at Eden Park on November 4, Kohli’s form dipped sharply. He managed scores of just 7, 0, and 5 in his subsequent three innings, a sequence that highlights a rare period of inconsistency for the veteran campaigner.
A Rare Statistical Dip for the Veteran Batter
The three single-digit scores recorded during this series represent a notable statistical low for Kohli, marking the first time in 11 years he has registered such a run in a bilateral ODI series. The last instance of this occurring was during the 2012-13 series against Pakistan, where he posted scores of 0, 6, and 7 across matches in Chennai, Kolkata, and Delhi.
While Kohli has faced similar challenges in multi-team tournaments—specifically the 2011 World Cup and the 2014-15 Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series in Australia—this recent performance against New Zealand stands out as his most difficult bilateral stretch in over a decade. Despite his status as the leading run-scorer in ODIs against the Black Caps, he concluded this four-innings series with a total of 86 runs.
India Bowled Out in Series Decider
The batting struggles were not limited to Kohli, as the entire Indian lineup faced immense pressure from the New Zealand bowlers. In the fifth and final ODI, the visitors were dismissed for 209, failing to build the momentum required to secure a series victory. This performance followed a disappointing outing just days prior at the same venue, where India was bowled out for 89.
Led by Shreyas Iyer, the Indian side entered the final match holding a 2-1 lead in the series. However, the inability to counter the disciplined lines maintained by the New Zealand bowlers allowed the hosts to force a collapse, leaving the visitors unable to reach a competitive total in the series decider.
