India pulled off a tense four-wicket victory against New Zealand in the first ODI at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday, chasing down a competitive target of 301 with one over to spare. While Virat Kohli narrowly missed out on a well-deserved century, it was KL Rahul’s composure under pressure that ultimately guided India home in a nervy finish.
The chase had its fair share of twists, momentum shifts, and moments of anxiety for the packed Vadodara crowd. From Kohli’s masterclass in control, Shubman Gill’s fluent fifty, and Shreyas Iyer’s brisk contribution, to Rahul’s ice-cold finishing act, India showcased depth and resilience in a contest that stayed alive until the final overs.
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Virat Kohli once again stood tall in a pressure chase, anchoring India’s innings with a fluent yet disciplined knock of 93. Walking in with India needing stability, Kohli played the situation perfectly, rotating strike with ease and punishing loose deliveries with trademark precision.
Although the century eluded him, Kohli still etched his name into the record books. During his innings, he surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the fastest batter in the world to reach 28,000 international runs, achieving the feat in just 624 innings — 20 fewer than Tendulkar.
Kohli looked in complete control for most of his stay, particularly against the New Zealand spinners, using his feet smartly and finding gaps at will. His partnership with Shubman Gill steadied the chase after an early wicket and ensured India stayed on track despite regular interruptions.
