IND vs NZ 1st ODI: King Kohli’s splendid 93, KL Rahul’s composure power India to 1–0 series lead

India clinched a nerve-wracking victory over New Zealand in the first One-Day International at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday, taking a 1–0 lead in the three-match series. KL Rahul sealed the win with his decisive runs as India held their nerve in a tense finish, delighting the home crowd.

Chasing a competitive target, India appeared in control for large parts of the innings, with Virat Kohli leading the charge. Kohli looked fluent and assured before falling for 93, narrowly missing out on a century. His dismissal triggered a brief wobble, allowing New Zealand a glimpse of hope as India momentarily lost momentum.

Despite missing the hundred, Kohli achieved a major personal milestone during his knock, surpassing 28,000 international runs. He became only the third cricketer to reach the landmark, joining legends Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.

Also Read: IND VS NZ 1st ODI: Heartbreak for fans as Virat Kohli falls short of 54th ODI century by 7 runs

Rahul, Rana Steady the Ship

With pressure mounting, KL Rahul and Harshit Rana displayed composure and resilience to guide India home without further setbacks. Their calm approach ensured that India avoided a late collapse and crossed the line safely.

New Zealand’s Competitive Total

Earlier, India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to field. New Zealand openers Henry Nicholls and Devon Conway laid a solid foundation with half-centuries, while Daryl Mitchell’s late flourish helped the visitors post 300 runs.

Bowlers Deliver

Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana picked up two wickets each on a slow surface. The match also marked a milestone, with Kotambi Stadium becoming the 51st venue in India to host a men’s ODI.

Looking Ahead

With India leading 1–0, the series now moves to Rajkot for the second ODI on 14 January, where both sides will look to build momentum.