New Delhi: Virat Kohli continued his purple patch in the third ODI against New Zealand with a sublime century at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday. Kohli stepped up under pressure in the series decider to rescue India’s run-chase after a stunning top order collapse in the series decider. The run machine slammed his 54th ODI ton and 85th century across all formats.

Kohli broke former Australia captain Ricky Ponting’s record to become the highest run-getter at no.3 in ODI history with his gutsy ton against the Kiwis. Ponting amassed 12,662 runs in 335 matches with an average of 42.48, including 29 centuries and 74 fifties at no.3 in ODIs. Kohli displaced him from the top spot on the elite list of highest run-getters at no.3 in ODIs after completing his ton against New Zealand in Indore.

Heading into the 3rd ODI, Kohli had 12,552 runs to his name at no.3 in ODIs and needed 111 runs to break Ponting’s record for most runs at the position. He managed to surpass the legendary Aussie batter with his valiant 124-run knock in the series decider against the Kiwis. Kohli now has 12,676 runs to his name in 247 ODI matches at a stunning average of 61.78, including an impressive 47 centuries and 67 fifties.

Highest run-getters at no.3 in ODI history:

Virat Kohli – 12,676 runs*

Ricky Ponting – 12,662 runs

Kumar Sangakkara – 9747 runs

Kohli also broke Ponting and former India opener Virender Sehwag’s record for the most ODI centuries by any batter against New Zealand. Both Sehwag and Ponting hit six centuries apiece against the Kiwis in their ODI careers. Kohli’s 124-run knock in the third ODI against New Zealand in Indore on Sunday was his seventh ton against the Black Caps in the format.

Most ODI centuries against New Zealand:

Virat Kohli – 7

Ricky Ponting – 6

Virender Sehwag – 6

Virat Kohli’s ton in vain as New Zealand beat India in 3rd ODI to clinch series

Kohli’s heroic ton went in vain as New Zealand defeated India by 41 runs in the deciding third ODI to clinch the three-match series 2-1. It was a historic series victory for Michael Bracewell & Co. as New Zealand pulled off their first-ever bilateral ODI series victory on Indian soil. New Zealand brought an end to a 37-year-long wait for their maiden ODI series victory in India.

New Zealand rode on centuries from Daryl Mitchell (137) and Glenn Phillips (106) to post a huge total of 337 runs on the board, batting first in the series decider. India got off to a horror start in the run chase and suffered a dramatic top-order collapse to lose the plot.

Kohli brought the hosts back on track with his gutsy ton and combined with half-centurions Nitish Reddy (53) and Harshit Rana (52) to keep India in the hunt till the end. However, his dismissal in the 46th over sealed India’s fate as New Zealand bundled out the hosts for 286 runs in 46 overs to secure a 41-run victory to clinch the series.