Kohli steers India to win over Kiwis as rain spoils: 1st ODI (Auckland)

Veteran Virat Kohli was in fine form as India secured a five-wicket victory over New Zealand in the rain-affected first ODI under the DLS method, taking a 1–0 lead in the series at Eden Park.

Chasing a revised target, Virat Kohli led the charge with a superb 74, while Shubman Gill contributed 37 to establish a strong platform. New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy claimed three wickets for 49 runs, but India successfully negotiated the chase to seal the win.

New Zealand had earlier been dismissed for 185, with Tim Seifert top-scoring with 38. India’s bowling attack delivered an impressive performance, led by Arshdeep Singh, who claimed four wickets for 70, while Gurnoor Brar picked up three for 44.

Despite some resistance from the New Zealand tail-end batters, India kept the hosts to a modest total before rain intervened and the visitors completed a comfortable DLS victory.

India 143 for 5 (Kohli 74, Gill 37, Duffy 3-49) beat New Zealand 185 (Seifert 38, Arshdeep 4-70, Gurnoor 3-44) by five wickets (by DLS method).

Nov 2026.