IND vs NZ 3rd ODI: Virat Kohli Gifts Signed Jersey to Daryl Mitchell After Series Defeat
India’s star batter Virat Kohli displayed a touching gesture of sportsmanship following India’s loss in the third and final ODI against New Zealand, despite delivering a brilliant century with the bat. Kohli gifted his signed jersey to New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell shortly after the match, sharing a warm hug with the in-form Kiwi batter.
The third ODI saw New Zealand defeat India by 41 runs, sealing the three-match series 2–1. Batting first, the visitors put up a formidable total of 337 runs, powered by Mitchell’s sublime knock of 137 off 131 balls. Mitchell continued his impressive run against the Men in Blue, having smashed two centuries in the series and emerging as one of New Zealand’s standout performers.
In reply, India relied heavily on Kohli, who once again rose to the occasion. The former Indian captain slammed his 54th ODI century, scoring a valiant 124 runs off 108 balls. However, a lack of support from the other batters meant that India fell short of the target and eventually lost the match by 41 runs. The India cricket team, led by Shubman Gill, was unable to build partnerships around Kohli’s innings.
During the post-match presentation and player interactions, Kohli was seen walking past the New Zealand camp and presenting Mitchell with his signed jersey, a gesture that was widely appreciated by fans and players alike. The moment highlighted the mutual respect between the two batters and underscored the spirit of the game, even in the aftermath of a hard-fought series.
Despite the series loss, Kohli’s century remained a major positive for India, while Mitchell’s consistent performances proved decisive in New Zealand’s series victory.
