India suffered a double blow in quick succession during the chase against New Zealand in the third ODI at Indore, losing Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj in the space of two deliveries, leaving Virat Kohli battling almost alone in the middle.
Harshit Rana’s fighting knock came to an end on 43.4 overs when he attempted to clear long-on off Zakary Foulkes. The full toss climbed high on the bat, mistiming the stroke, and Nicholls ran in to complete a sharp catch. Rana walked back to a standing ovation after scoring 52 off 43 balls, laced with four fours and four sixes, a knock that briefly reignited India’s hopes.
The very next ball, Foulkes struck again. Mohammed Siraj shaped to flick a fullish delivery down the leg side but managed only a faint inside edge. Wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay dived sharply to his left to complete the catch, giving Foulkes two wickets in two balls and swinging the momentum firmly New Zealand’s way.
At that stage, India slipped to 277 for 8 in 43.5 overs, still needing 61 runs, with Kohli unbeaten on a commanding 114 off 100 balls. With wickets tumbling around him, the responsibility squarely rested on Kohli to anchor the chase and attempt something extraordinary as New Zealand tightened their grip on the match.