1st ODI: Kohli, Gill Thrash Kiwi Bowlers As India Defeat New Zealand By Four Wickets

India vs New Zealand: India rode a strong batting performance to defeat an impressive New Zealand by four wickets in the first ODI at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday.

With this win, the Indian team is now leading the three-match series 1-0. 

What happened during the match? 

Batting first, the Kiwis set a target of 301 runs for India. Daryl Mitchell scored 84 runs for the visiting team. In reply, the Indian team chased down the target thanks to a half-centuries by by Virat Kohli (93) and Shubman Gill (56) along with a power-packed knock by Shreyas Iyer (49), who was unlucky to miss out on a half-century.

The Indian chase was off to a good start. Openers Rohit Sharma and Gill started cautiously. Rohit looked to be in good form, but was dismissed in the ninth over. Rohit scored 26 runs, hitting two magnificent sixes and three fours. But after that, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill performed brilliantly. They shared a century partnership. Kohli also completed his 28,000 international runs. Gill also scored a half-century, but he lost his wicket in the 27th over.

After this, Shreyas Iyer came to support Virat Kohli. They shared a 77-run partnership. But Virat Kohli missed out on a century. Kohli scored 93 runs. His wicket fell in the 40th over. Kohli hit 8 fours and one six in his innings. 

After this, Jadeja was dismissed cheaply, scoring only four runs. But in the very next over, India's difficulties increased when Shreyas Iyer was dismissed after scoring 49 runs. A series of quick wickets brought New Zealand back into the game. However, Harshit Rana then played a brilliant innings of 29 runs to bring India back into contention. When Harshit's wicket fell, India needed 22 runs from 22 balls. KL Rahul and the injured Washington Sundar then guided India to victory in the 49th over.

How did New Zealand batters perform?

The New Zealand innings had a fantastic start. Openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls put on a 117-run partnership for the first wicket. During this partnership, both players completed their half-centuries off 60 balls each. Harshit Rana broke this partnership, dismissing Henry Nicholls. Nicholls scored 62 runs off 69 balls with the help of 8 fours. Harshit then also dismissed Conway. Conway contributed 56 runs off 67 balls with the help of 6 fours and one six. In the 28th over, Siraj took the wicket of Will Young, who scored 12 runs.

Then, in the 34th over, Kuldeep Yadav took the wicket of Glenn Phillips. At that time, New Zealand's score was 170 runs. In the 38th over, Prasidh bowled Mitchell Hay. Hay scored only 18 runs. The sixth wicket fell in the 43rd over when Bracewell was run out by Iyer. In the very next over, Siraj bowled Zachary. The biggest blow for New Zealand came in the 48th over when Daryl Mitchell was dismissed after scoring 84 runs off 71 balls. Ultimately, New Zealand managed to score 300 runs.

Which Team India stars missed out?

Team India left Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Yashasvi Jaiswal on the bench. Christian Clarke made his ODI debut for New Zealand. Indian-origin cricketer Aditya Ashok was also included in the visitors’ playing XI.