IND vs NZ: India survive late scare as Virat Kohli's 93 anchors four-wicket win over New Zealand in series opener

NEW DELHI: India opened the three-match ODI series with a four-wicket win over New Zealand in Vadodara on Sunday, though the chase turned tense after a late collapse. Virat Kohli led the pursuit with 93 off 91 balls, while captain Shubman Gill contributed 56 as India reached 306 for six in 49 overs to chase down the target of 301 against Black Caps.

India were well placed for most of the chase and appeared in control until Kohli’s dismissal in the 40th over. At that stage, India needed 67 runs from 66 balls with seven wickets in hand. However, New Zealand struck back quickly, picking up wickets to put pressure on the hosts.




Kohli fell seven runs short of a century when Kyle Jamieson had him caught at mid-on. Jamieson then removed Shreyas Iyer for 49 with an off-cutter and dismissed Ravindra Jadeja for four, briefly swinging momentum New Zealand’s way. Despite the wobble, KL Rahul held firm at the end with an unbeaten 29. He added 37 runs with Harshit Rana, who scored 29, before India crossed the line with Washington Sundar, who was nursing an injury, staying not out on seven. New Zealand also missed chances in the closing stages, dropping catches that eased the pressure.

With his knock, Kohli became the fastest batter to reach 28,000 runs in international cricket and moved past Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer overall, behind Sachin Tendulkar.

Kohli batted fluently from the start, finding boundaries early in his innings against both pace and spin. He played confidently against leg-spinner Adithya Ashok, scoring freely, and survived a moment of fortune when an inside edge off debutant Kristian Clarke missed the leg stump. Kohli added 118 runs for the second wicket with Gill, anchoring the chase even during a stretch where boundaries were hard to come by.

Gill took time to settle before bringing up his 16th ODI half-century. He later appeared uncomfortable, stretching his legs and receiving on-field treatment. Soon after play resumed, he was dismissed for 56 off 71 balls, hitting a googly from Adithya Ashok straight to mid-off. His innings included three fours and two sixes.

Rohit Sharma gave India early momentum with 26, striking boundaries off Zakary Foulkes and Jamieson. He also reached 650 sixes in international cricket before being dismissed in the ninth over when Jamieson induced a mistimed shot.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 300 for eight after being sent in. Daryl Mitchell top-scored with 84 off 71 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. He steadied the innings after a middle-order slide, following a solid opening stand between Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls. Conway made 56 off 67 balls, while Nicholls scored 62 off 69 as the pair added 117 runs for the first wicket.

India pulled things back through Harshit Rana, whose second spell of 2 for 13 changed the course of the innings. New Zealand slipped from 117 without loss to 198 for five. Mitchell then rebuilt with support from the lower order, while debutant Kristian Clarke added a quick 24 not out off 17 balls to take New Zealand to the 300-run mark.

India eventually completed the chase, but not without a late test from New Zealand’s bowlers.


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