IND vs NZ 1st ODI report: Kohli powers India to four-wicket win

Punching above its weight has long been New Zealand’s calling card in international cricket. The Black Caps have repeatedly risen to the occasion, but the damage inflicted up front by Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill proved too much to recover from for the visitors on Sunday.

Chasing 301 on a chilly, dew-laden evening at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium, India eventually crossed the line — albeit after more than a few stutters — to take a 1–0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Even after Rohit Sharma departed following a brisk cameo and Gill gifted leg-spinner Adithya Ashok a wicket after a composed half-century, India remained firmly in control. Kohli slipped seamlessly into chase-master mode, while Shreyas Iyer launched an assault on spin after taking strike.

Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer added 77 runs for the third wicket and ensured India would reach the target despite the late stutters.
| Photo Credit:
Vijay Soneji

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Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer added 77 runs for the third wicket and ensured India would reach the target despite the late stutters.
| Photo Credit:
Vijay Soneji

Kohli, meanwhile, was the star attraction having started with six fours in his first 20 balls before settling into rotating-the-strike mode. Gill went after leggie Adithya soon after he was introduced into the attack after the Powerplay, thus paving way for captain Bracewell to bring himself on.

With 67 required from 11 overs and Kohli in the 90s, the crowd braced itself for a Kohli hundred and a comfortable finish. But Kyle Jamieson dramatically swung the momentum by claiming three wickets in seven balls. Kohli fell attempting to go over mid-off, Ravindra Jadeja was caught at mid-on off a cross-seam delivery, and Shreyas was bowled by another cutter, leaving India suddenly rattled.

With Washington Sundar injured in the first innings, Harshit Rana joined KL Rahul at the crease. Harshit first saved the hat-trick and then swung freely before falling. Washington overcame pain and joined a composed Rahul at the crease. With run-rate down to run-a-ball, it was Rahul’s back-to-back boundaries, followed by a decisive heave over cow corner for a six off debutant Kristian Clarke in the penultimate over that sealed the chase.

Daryl Mitchell’s late assault helped the Black Caps accumulate 88 runs in the final 10 overs.
| Photo Credit:
Vijay Soneji

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Daryl Mitchell’s late assault helped the Black Caps accumulate 88 runs in the final 10 overs.
| Photo Credit:
Vijay Soneji

Earlier, a reprieve for Henry Nicholls by Kuldeep Yadav in the deep in the sixth over allowed New Zealand’s left-handed opening pair to add 117 in 21 overs. Rana broke the stand on his return, dismissing Nicholls and Devon Conway in successive overs. Apart from Daryl Mitchell, who once again troubled India, the middle order failed to capitalise.

Mitchell’s late assault, especially off Prasidh Krishna before being beaten for pace by him, helped New Zealand add 88 in the final 10 overs to reach the magic mark of 300. In the end, it wasn’t enough for the Black Caps.