Virat Kohli produced a composed and match-winning knock to guide India to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first ODI at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Chasing a target of 301, India reached the total with six balls to spare, thanks largely to Kohli’s fluent 93 off 91 deliveries. His innings steadied the chase during tense moments and ensured India stayed on course despite periodic setbacks.
Earlier, New Zealand posted a competitive 300 for 8 after being asked to bat first. Daryl Mitchell top-scored with a gritty 84 off 71 balls, rescuing the visitors after a strong opening stand failed to translate into a bigger total. Mitchell’s innings included five boundaries and three sixes and came at a time when New Zealand were losing wickets in quick succession.
Openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls had given New Zealand an excellent platform with a 117-run partnership. Conway scored 56 while Nicholls added 62, but India clawed back into the contest through an effective second spell by Harshit Rana. The pacer dismissed both openers and finished with figures of 2 for 65, triggering a middle-order collapse that saw New Zealand slide from 117 without loss to 198 for five.
Mitchell then stitched together crucial partnerships to push the total to 300, with debutant Kristian Clarke providing late impetus through an unbeaten 24 off 17 balls. Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with a wicket, though he earlier missed a chance that could have given India an earlier breakthrough.
In reply, India’s chase revolved around Kohli’s calm presence at the crease. His ability to rotate strike and find boundaries under pressure proved decisive, as India crossed the line to secure a hard-fought win and early advantage in the series.