Daijiworld Media Network - Vadodara
Vadodara, Jan 11: India began the three-match ODI series on a winning note, registering a four-wicket victory over New Zealand at the Kotambi International Stadium (BCA), powered by fluent half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill, and a composed finishing act by KL Rahul.
Chasing a target of 301, India’s top order set the tone early. Rohit Sharma came out with attacking intent, announcing himself with a six in the opening over. During his brief stay, Rohit etched his name into the record books by becoming the first cricketer in history to smash 650 sixes in international cricket. His innings ended at 26 off 29 balls, with Kyle Jamieson providing the breakthrough.
Virat Kohli then took center stage, batting with authority and precision. He reached a historic milestone during the chase, becoming the fastest player to score 28,000 international runs. Kohli achieved the feat in just 624 innings, eclipsing Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record by a margin of 20 innings. He also moved past Kumar Sangakkara to claim second place on the all-time international run-scorers’ list, now trailing only Tendulkar.
Kohli and captain Shubman Gill stitched together a commanding 118-run partnership, steering India comfortably past the 100-run mark. Kohli brought up his half-century in 44 deliveries, while Gill marked his return from injury with a polished 56 off 71 balls — his 16th ODI fifty. Gill’s innings came to an end in the 27th over when he was caught by Glenn Phillips at extra cover.
Shreyas Iyer injected momentum with an aggressive cameo, targeting leg-spinner Adithya Ashok for boundaries. He and Kohli added 77 runs for the third wicket before Jamieson sparked a brief collapse. The New Zealand pacer dismissed Kohli for a superb 93 at the start of the 40th over and removed Ravindra Jadeja later in the same over. Jamieson struck again in his next spell, sending back Iyer for 49 and leaving India under pressure.
With Washington Sundar sidelined due to injury, Harshit Rana stepped in at No. 7 and played a spirited knock of 29 off 23 balls, including a couple of fours and a six, before debutant Kristian Clarke claimed his maiden ODI wicket.
As the equation tightened, KL Rahul held his nerve. The wicketkeeper-batter struck consecutive boundaries in the 49th over before sealing the chase with a six, finishing unbeaten on 29 and guiding India home with an over to spare.
Earlier, New Zealand posted a competitive 300/8 after being asked to bat. Openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls laid a solid foundation, combining for a 117-run stand — the visitors’ first century opening partnership away from home since 2019. Both reached their fifties in the 20th over as New Zealand progressed to 104 without loss.
India clawed back through Harshit Rana, who removed Nicholls for 62 with the help of sharp work behind the stumps from Rahul, and later dismissed Conway for 56. Mohammed Siraj accounted for Will Young, while Kuldeep Yadav sent Glenn Phillips packing, reducing New Zealand to 153/4.
Daryl Mitchell anchored the innings with a composed 84, showing maturity and restraint as wickets fell around him. Brief contributions from Mitchell Hay and late-order batters helped New Zealand maintain momentum, but India tightened the screws in the closing overs. Prasidh Krishna eventually dismissed Mitchell in the 48th over, while late blows from Jamieson and Clarke pushed the total past 300.
The two teams now head to Rajkot for the second ODI, scheduled at the Niranjan Shah Stadium on Wednesday.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 300/8 in 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 84, Henry Nicholls 62; Mohammed Siraj 2-40, Harshit Rana 2-65)
India 301/6 in 49 overs (Virat Kohli 93, Shubman Gill 56; Kyle Jamieson 4-41)
India won by four wickets.