Virat Kohli scored a fluent 74 off 51 balls to guide India to a five-wicket win over New Zealand in the rain-interrupted first One-day International at Auckland’s Eden Park on Wednesday, putting the visitors 1-0 up in the five-match series.
India chased a Duckworth-Lewis-Stern revised target of 143 and finished with 56 balls remaining. Kohli, who turns 38 on Thursday, reached his 80th ODI half-century in only 35 balls on a quick, bouncy surface where few other batters settled.
New Zealand fold for 185
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl after brief showers delayed the start by 10 minutes. New Zealand reached 73 for two in the 14th over even though Will Young and Henry Nicholls fell cheaply, but the innings never found a long partnership.
Tim Seifert, opening in place of Devon Conway after Conway was concussed in a training collision with Matt Henry on Tuesday, top-scored with 38 in his first ODI in a long spell out of the side. Daryl Mitchell made 28 and Glenn Phillips 30, while last man Blair Tickner struck a late 34 off 23 balls. Arshdeep Singh finished with four for 70 from 10 overs and Gurnoor Brar took three for 44 from 9.2 as New Zealand were dismissed for 185 in the 41st over.
Kohli and Gill settle the chase
Rohit Sharma fell for a duck at the end of the first over, bringing Virat Kohli to the crease early. He attacked the short ball with pulls and hooks, finishing with 13 fours and a six. Gill contributed 37 from 56 deliveries as the pair built a 113-run partnership that took control of the reply.
Rain stopped play in the 11th over with India 54 for one, then again at the end of the 12th after 10 more runs. When cricket resumed, the tourists needed 143 in 32 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis method—79 more runs in 20 overs. Kohli then scored freely across the next three overs and effectively ended the contest. Jacob Duffy took three wickets for New Zealand.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- Tuesday: Devon Conway was concussed in a freak training collision with Matt Henry and missed the first ODI.
- Wednesday: At Eden Park, New Zealand were bowled out for 185; India chased 143 under Duckworth-Lewis to win by five wickets and lead the series 1-0.
- Thursday: Virat Kohli turns 38, a day after his match-winning 74.
- Saturday: The second ODI of the five-match series is scheduled in Wellington.
Aasan alfaaz mein
India ne Auckland mein pehla ODI jeet liya hai aur series mein 1-0 ki lead le li hai. Virat Kohli ne 51 balls mein 74 runs banaye, jab ke New Zealand sirf 185 par all out ho gaya. Baarish ki wajah se target kam ho kar 143 reh gaya, jo India ne aaraam se chase kar liya. Aghla match Shanivar ko Wellington mein hoga.
