Virat Kohli’s 93 Guides India to Narrow Four-Wicket Win Over New Zealand in 1st ODI

NEW DELHI: India began the three-match ODI series on a winning note, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in Vadodara on Sunday. What initially looked like a comfortable chase turned tense in the closing stages, but India eventually reached 306 for six in 49 overs to secure a 1-0 lead.

Virat Kohli anchored the chase with a commanding 93 off 91 deliveries, while skipper Shubman Gill supported him with a well-crafted 56. Together, they kept India in control for much of the pursuit of New Zealand’s 301-run target.

India were cruising until the 40th over, when Kohli was dismissed with the hosts needing 67 runs from 66 balls and seven wickets still in hand. His wicket triggered a brief collapse, allowing New Zealand to apply pressure through quick breakthroughs.

Kohli fell agonisingly short of a century after being caught at mid-on off Kyle Jamieson. The New Zealand pacer then struck twice more, removing Shreyas Iyer for 49 with a clever off-cutter and dismissing Ravindra Jadeja for just four, shifting momentum towards the visitors.

However, KL Rahul ensured India stayed on course with a calm, unbeaten 29. He added a crucial 37-run partnership with Harshit Rana, who chipped in with a valuable 29. Washington Sundar, battling an injury, stayed not out on seven as India crossed the finish line. New Zealand’s task was made harder by missed chances in the field during the final overs.

Kohli’s knock was historic, as it made him the fastest batter to reach 28,000 international runs. He also overtook Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket history, behind only Sachin Tendulkar.

From the outset, Kohli looked fluent, dispatching both pace and spin with ease. He took on leg-spinner Adithya Ashok confidently and survived a stroke of luck when an inside edge off debutant Kristian Clarke narrowly missed the stumps. Kohli and Gill added 118 runs for the second wicket, providing stability even when boundary options dried up.

Gill took time to find his rhythm before bringing up his 16th ODI fifty. He later appeared uncomfortable and required treatment before being dismissed soon after the restart. The right-hander fell for 56 off 71 balls, miscuing a googly from Ashok straight to mid-off. His innings featured three boundaries and two sixes.

Rohit Sharma set the early tone with a brisk 26, striking Jamieson and Zakary Foulkes for boundaries. He also reached the milestone of 650 international sixes before Jamieson had him mistime a shot in the ninth over.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 300 for eight after being asked to bat first. Daryl Mitchell led the charge with a composed 84 off 71 balls, including five fours and three sixes. His innings came after a strong opening partnership between Devon Conway (56 off 67) and Henry Nicholls (62 off 69), who added 117 for the first wicket.

India clawed back through Harshit Rana, whose second spell yielded figures of 2 for 13 and triggered a collapse that saw New Zealand slide from 117 without loss to 198 for five. Mitchell then rebuilt the innings with support from the lower order, while debutant Kristian Clarke’s quickfire 24 not out off 17 balls helped the Black Caps reach the 300-run mark.

India completed the chase successfully, but not before facing a late scare from New Zealand’s bowlers.