India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the first One Day International (ODI) held in Vadodara on January 11, 2026, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Virat Kohli played a crucial innings of 93 runs, leading the chase of 301, and surpassing Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket. The match showcased a strong performance from both sides, with late contributions from Harshit Rana and KL Rahul securing the victory for the hosts.
Kohli Leads India to Victory in ODI Opener
The match at the Kotambi Stadium saw New Zealand set a competitive target of 301 for 8. Daryl Mitchell top-scored for the Black Caps with 84, while Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls contributed with half-centuries. However, disciplined bowling from India, with Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, and Praisdh Krishna each taking two wickets, restricted New Zealand from building substantial partnerships after the initial opening stand.
India’s response was anchored by Virat Kohli, who continued his impressive form in the 50-over format. He shared a vital 118-run partnership with captain Shubman Gill (56) and a further strong stand with Shreyas Iyer (49). This partnership building was key to India’s successful cricket score.
Jamieson Strikes Back for New Zealand
Despite a solid foundation, India faced a mid-innings wobble as Kyle Jamieson of New Zealand bowled a fiery spell. Jamieson dismissed both Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, and also accounted for Iyer, reducing India to 242 for 5 and injecting hope into the New Zealand camp. His final figures of 4 for 41 were the best of the innings.
Adding to India’s challenges, Washington Sundar sustained a side strain while bowling and was unable to contribute significantly with the bat. However, a composed finish from KL Rahul, including the winning six, and a quickfire 29 from Harshit Rana saw India over the line with six balls to spare.
Virat Kohli’s innings was not only pivotal in the win but also marked a significant milestone in his career. He surpassed Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara’s total of 28,016 runs, solidifying his position as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar (34,357 runs). This achievement underscores his consistent performance and longevity in international cricket matches.
The victory comes after Kohli and Rohit Sharma made the decision to focus solely on ODI cricket, having previously retired from Test and T20 formats. This strategic shift allows them to manage their workload and extend their careers in the 50-over game. Gill, returning from injury and a recent omission from the T20 squad, also demonstrated his value to the team with a well-made half-century.
The series between India and New Zealand continues with the second ODI scheduled for Wednesday in Rajkot. The outcome of this match will be crucial in determining the winner of the series. Following the ODI leg, the two teams will engage in a five-match T20 series in preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on February 7 and conclude on March 8. The performance of players in these remaining matches will be closely watched in the context of team selection for the highly anticipated T20 World Cup.
Team management will be assessing the fitness of Washington Sundar following his injury, and his availability for the remaining matches remains uncertain. The focus will also be on building consistent partnerships and improving the overall team balance as they prepare for the T20 World Cup.
