Virat Kohli’s fluent 74 and a decisive century partnership with Shubman Gill powered India to a five-wicket victory over New Zealand in the rain-affected first ODI at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday. Chasing a revised target of 143 in 32 overs under the DLS method, India reached the mark to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
India had initially been set 186 to win after New Zealand were bowled out for 185 in 40.2 overs. Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal for a duck put the visitors under pressure, but Kohli and Gill steadied the innings with a 114-run stand for the second wicket.
Two rain interruptions during the chase resulted in a revised target, but Kohli maintained control and kept India’s innings on track. Gill contributed 37 before departing in the 19th over, while Kohli’s innings ensured the visitors remained comfortably placed. India eventually crossed the finish line with five wickets in hand.
Earlier, India’s inexperienced pace attack delivered an impressive performance to bowl New Zealand out for 185. With Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna unavailable, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar and Anshul Kamboj stepped up.
Arshdeep led the attack with figures of 4/70, while Gurnoor claimed 3/44 and Kamboj returned 2/22. Arshdeep struck twice in the powerplay as New Zealand struggled to 45/2 in the first 10 overs.
Gurnoor used his height, pace and bounce to trouble the hosts, producing a sharp return catch to dismiss Tom Latham. Kamboj was equally effective in the middle overs, bowling 46 dot balls in his 10-over spell and finishing with an economy rate of 2.20.
Tim Seifert top-scored for New Zealand with 38, while Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell made starts without converting them into substantial scores. Mitchell was run out through a sharp piece of fielding involving KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma, before Kohli took a stunning catch at second slip to dismiss Nathan Smith.
Blair Tickner provided some late resistance, hitting three sixes in Arshdeep’s final over to push New Zealand beyond 180. However, the total proved insufficient against India’s batting response.
The victory gives India an early advantage in the series, with the second ODI scheduled to take place in Wellington on Saturday.
