Vadodara, India – In a thrilling encounter at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi, India defeated New Zealand by 4 wickets in the first ODI of the three-match series. Virat Kohli's magnificent 93 off 91 balls, along with crucial contributions from Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, powered India to overhaul the target of 301 with six balls to spare.
New Zealand, after being put in to bat by India's captain Shubman Gill, posted a competitive total of 300/8 in their 50 overs. Daryl Mitchell top-scored for the Kiwis with 84, supported by a half-century from another batsman. The New Zealand innings saw contributions throughout the batting order, allowing them to reach a formidable score.
Chasing 301, India started strongly, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill setting a solid foundation. Gill went on to score 56, building a strong partnership with Virat Kohli. Kohli, who surpassed Sourav Ganguly for most ODI matches played for India, took charge of the innings, displaying an array of exquisite shots. He smashed eight fours and one six during his innings.
However, India experienced a sudden collapse in the middle order, but Kohli continued to anchor the innings. Just as he approached his century, Kohli was dismissed for 93, caught at mid-off while trying to hit Kyle Jamieson down the ground. His dismissal left the game in the balance, with New Zealand sensing an opportunity.
KL Rahul and Harshit Rana then took the responsibility to guide India home. KL Rahul remained cool under pressure and ultimately sealed the victory with a six over deep mid-wicket in the final over.
Virat Kohli was named Player of the Match for his crucial innings. After the match, Kohli said he sends all his Player of the Match awards to his mother in Gurgaon. He added that looking back at his journey, it feels like a dream come true, expressing gratitude for his achievements.
Kyle Jamieson was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, finishing with figures of 4 for 41. Despite his efforts, New Zealand could not prevent India from taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Social media erupted with joy as fans celebrated India's thrilling victory. The hashtags #ViratKohli, #INDvsNZ, and #TeamIndia trended as fans lauded Kohli's performance and the team's resilience. Many fans expressed their excitement for the upcoming matches in the series.
With this win, India extends their winning streak against New Zealand in ODIs and prepares for the second match on January 14. The series serves as crucial preparation for the Indian team for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with the team expected to play around 20 ODIs to fine-tune their preparations.
