Virat Kohli missed out on a century by just seven runs but was instrumental in guiding India home to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand at Vadodara. Kohli scored his 93 in just 91 balls with handy contributions from captain Shubman Gill (56) and Shreyas Iyer (49) as India chased down a target of 301 with one over remaining. India thus take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
FOLLOW: India vs New Zealand 1st ODI Live Score Updates
Kohli smashed eight fours and one six during his magnificent innings to help India overhaul the target. The game saw Kohli become the fastest batter to reach 28,000 runs, in the process breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record as he needed 20 innings lesser than Tendulkar to get to the milestone. Kohli joined an exclusive club of batters which includes Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.
For New Zealand, Kyle Jamieson returned with fine figures of 4 for 41 from his 10 overs, while Adithya Ashok and Kristian Clarke got one wicket each.
ALSO READ | STATS: Virat Kohli becomes fastest batter to reach 28,000 runs, breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s record
India’s Virat Kohli plays a shot against New Zealand in the first ODI at Vadodara. (Express Photo by Bhupendra Rana)
Earlier, Indian bowlers, especially pacers Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj, bowled probing line and length but Daryl Mitchell struck a fine counter-attaching half-century to guide New Zealand to 300 for 8.
Harshit (2/65), Siraj (2/40) and Prasidh Krishna (2/60) got two wickets apiece while Kuldeep Yadav got one.
(With inputs from PTI)
