Our Bureau
Auckland
India defeated New Zealand by five wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the first ODI at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Virat Kohli starred with a fluent 74 off 51 balls as India chased the revised target of 143 in 22.4 overs after rain interrupted the match.
After winning the toss, India elected to bowl and restricted New Zealand to 185 in 40.2 overs. The Indian bowling attack kept the hosts under pressure, with Arshdeep Singh leading the effort with four wickets. Gurnoor Brar picked up three wickets, while Anshul Kamboj claimed two for 22 runs and was named Player of the Match.
Tim Seifert top-scored for New Zealand with 38 off 43 balls, while Daryl Mitchell contributed 28 and Glenn Phillips added 30. However, regular wickets prevented the hosts from building a substantial total. Seifert, who came into the side as a replacement for the concussed Devon Conway, provided some resistance before the Indian bowlers tightened their grip on the innings.
Kohli anchors the chase
India’s chase got off to a disappointing start as Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the first over. However, Kohli steadied the innings with an attacking knock, striking 13 fours and a six. Captain Shubman Gill supported him with 37 off 56 balls as the pair helped India regain control.
Gill’s dismissal was followed by a brief cluster of wickets, with Shreyas Iyer scoring 15 and Axar Patel departing without scoring. Kohli’s innings, however, ensured India remained comfortably placed before he was dismissed for 74.
KL Rahul and Naman Dhir completed the formalities, with Dhir hitting the winning boundary. The rain-affected victory gives India an early advantage in the series, with the second ODI scheduled to be played in Wellington on November 7.