Virat Kohli headlines charge as India outclass New Zealand in ODI series opener

India started the ODI series with a bang as they outclassed New Zealand in a high-scoring chase in Vadodara. Collective show of brilliance from the batters led by Virat Kohli saw India shoot down a target of 301 without breaking a sweat.

Winning the toss, India opted to bowl first. Devon Conway (56) and Henry Nicholls (62) looked in great shape. The opening pair of the visitors knitted together a breezy 117-run-stand before Harshit Rana could come up with the first wicket of the day in the form of Nicholls.

Rana struck again in quick succession removing Conway as India could sense a shift in momentum. Mohammed Siraj joined the act too, getting the prized scalp of Will Young (12) as New Zealand went from 117/0 to 146/3. Daryll Mitchell took over the reins and started regulating the innings for the visitors while cameos at the other end kept the wheels rolling.

Glenn Phillips (12), Mitchell Hay (18), Michael Bracewell (16) and Kris Clarke (24*) simply complemented Mitchell (84) in the center. By the time Mitchell fell, the Kiwis had already reached a decent position. They concluded the innings at 300/8. Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna claimed two wickets each.

Coming out to bat, Rohit Sharma set the tone of the game early enough. With 26 from 29 balls, an innings that comprised three fours and two sixes, Sharma got the wheels in motion. However, his belligerence was shortlived as he holed out to Michael Bracewell off Kyle Jamieson’s bowling.

An incoming Virat Kohli joined Shubman Gill in the center to regulate the Indian innings. The two added 118 runs for the second wicket before Adithya Ashok removed Gill for 56. Kohli was relentless in pursuit of those runs and looked in fine touch throughout his innings.

Shreyas Iyer, who was returning from a spleen injury came in and dished out a fine innings. He smashed 49 off just 47 balls while being a part of a 77-run partnership with Virat Kohli. Kohli fell agonizingly short of his 54th ODI hundred as he was dismissed for 93. Iyer followed suit shortly while it was an ordinary day in the office for Ravindra Jadeja (4). India went from 234/2 to 242/5, sparking fears of a sudden collapse.

However, those fears were dispelled convincingly by KL Rahul (29*) and Harshit Rana (29) as the two took India within touching distance of the finish line. Rahul ensured that there was no more hiccup as India pocketed a six-wicket win against the Kiwis to go 1-0 up in the series. Virat Kohli was the Player of the Match award for his phenomenal 93.