Vadodara, Jan 11 (UNI) Virat Kohli was back to his imperious best with a fluent 93, and KL Rahul showed nerves of steel with a calm 29 not out, finishing the game in style with a massive six off Kristian Clarke in the penultimate over.
India chased down 301 to beat New Zealand by 4 wickets in the first ODI at BCA Stadium today, and it was edge-of-the-seat stuff.
Shubman Gill got India off to a steady start with 56, while Shreyas Iyer played his usual aggressive strokes for 49. Rohit Sharma looked positive with 26, and Harshit Rana played a crucial cameo of 29, lacing the ball to the boundary and clearing the ropes when it mattered most. Ravindra Jadeja, unfortunately, could only manage 4 before Jamieson cleaned him up.
The middle overs were tense. Three wickets fell in just seven balls — Kohli, Jadeja, and Iyer all back in the hut — and you could feel the momentum shifting. But Kohli and Rahul held the innings together, rotating the strike, punishing loose balls, and keeping India ahead of the game.
The partnerships were key: 118 between Gill and Kohli, 77 between Iyer and Kohli, 37 between Rahul and Harshit, and a finishing 27-run stand between Rahul and Washington Sundar to see India home.
In the final overs, Harshit brought the fans alive with a six and a couple of boundaries, and then Rahul walked in, cool as you like, and finished the job with two fours and a massive six. The composure under pressure was just outstanding.
For New Zealand, it was Daryl Mitchell who stole the show. 84 off 71 balls with three sixes and five fours — he kept New Zealand in the hunt.
Devon Conway (56) and Henry Nicholls (62) also played well, while Mitchell Hay chipped in with 18, and Kristian Clarke was unbeaten on 24. Michael Bracewell was run out for 16. Despite losing wickets at intervals, Mitchell’s knock made sure New Zealand put up a competitive 300 for eight.
India’s bowlers shared the spoils. Siraj and Prasidh Krishna picked up two wickets each — Siraj 2 for 40, Prasidh 2 for 65 — while Kuldeep Yadav got one. Jadeja and Sundar were tidy but couldn’t break through. Harshit Rana struck crucial blows early, removing Conway and Nicholls, and Siraj accounted for Will Young’s 12.
India now lead the series 1-0, but this match will be remembered for Kohli’s class, Rahul’s calm finishing, and Mitchell’s inspired innings for New Zealand.
Brief Scores:
India 306/6 (49 ov) beat New Zealand 300/8 (50 ov) by 4 wickets; V. Kohli 93, S. Gill 56, KL Rahul 29*; D. Mitchell 84, H. Nicholls 62, D. Conway 56; K. Jamieson 4/41, H. Rana 2/65, P. Krishna 2/60.
