India vs New Zealand 1st ODI Highlights: In the first match of the three-match ODI series held in Vadodara on January 11, Team India secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, India faced a tough challenge as the New Zealand openers, Devon Conway (56 off 67 balls) and Henry Nicholls (62 off 69 balls), gave their team a flying start with a 117-run partnership.
However, Indian pacer Harshit Rana broke the momentum by dismissing both openers. Although middle-order batters Will Young and Glenn Phillips fell cheaply, Daryl Mitchell played a brilliant knock of 84 runs off 71 balls (including 5 fours and 3 sixes) to anchor the innings.
With small but vital contributions from the lower order, New Zealand reached a competitive total of 300/8 in their 50 overs. For India, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna were the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets each.
Chasing a target of 301, India started steadily with Rohit Sharma scoring 26 and captain Shubman Gill making a solid 59. The highlight of the chase was the 118-run partnership between Gill and Virat Kohli.
After Gill’s departure, Kohli continued to dominate, sharing a 77-run stand with Shreyas Iyer, who made 49. It looked like Kohli was heading for his 85th century, but Kyle Jamieson turned the game around in the 40th over by dismissing both Ravindra Jadeja and Kohli in quick succession. Kohli’s masterful 93-run innings put India in a strong position, but the quick wickets created a tense atmosphere toward the end.
In the final stages, KL Rahul showed great composure to steer the team to victory. He first built a 37-run partnership with Harshit Rana, who contributed a useful 29 runs.
After Rana was dismissed, Rahul teamed up with Washington Sundar to finish the job. With 12 runs needed off the last two overs, Rahul took charge in the 49th over, hitting two boundaries and a six to seal the win with 4 wickets and 6 balls to spare.
Rahul remained unbeaten on 29 off just 21 balls*, while Sundar played a supporting role with 7*. For New Zealand, Kyle Jamieson was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/41.
The two teams will now travel to Rajkot for the second ODI on January 14, 2026.
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