Team India started the five match ODI series against New Zealand with a five wicket win in Auckland on Wednesday, November 4.
Virat Kohli played a crucial role in the successful chase, scoring 74 runs off 51 balls in a rain affected match. The win also gave Indian fans an early reason to celebrate ahead of Kohli’s birthday on November 5.
After winning the toss, Shubman Gill elected to bowl first at Eden Park. The Indian bowlers made regular breakthroughs and restricted New Zealand to 185 in 40.2 overs.
Tim Seifert scored 38 runs, while Glenn Phillips contributed 30. Blair Tickner added 34 runs towards the end of the innings to take New Zealand’s total past 180.
Arshdeep Singh was India’s leading wicket taker with four wickets for 70 runs. Gurnoor Brar claimed three wickets for 44 runs, while Anshul Kamboj picked up two wickets, conceding just 22 runs in 10 overs.
India’s target was revised to 143 runs in 32 overs following a rain interruption. The hosts got an early breakthrough when Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck by Kyle Jamieson. Despite, Kohli and Gill ensured that India did not lose control of the chase.
Gill scored 37 off 56 balls, while Kohli dominated the New Zealand bowling attack with 74 off 51 deliveries, including 13 fours and a six. Shreyas Iyer added 15 runs before KL Rahul and Naman Dhir helped India cross the finish line. India reached 143/5 in 22.4 overs to take a 1-0 lead.
The win came at the perfect time for Kohli’s fans, with the former India captain set to celebrate his birthday on November 5. His half century in the opening ODI gave fans an early birthday present and another reason to celebrate his contribution to Indian cricket.
India will now face New Zealand in the second ODI on November 7, looking to extend their lead in the series.
