New Zealand started the India tour with a great opening partnership in the three-match ODI series opener, where both the Blackcaps' openers scored half-centuries, but the Indian pacer Harshit Rana dismissed both the set openers brilliantly in his fruitful middle overs spell.

Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara is hosting the ODI series opener on Sunday (January 11), where the hosts India chose to field first after winning the toss. 

New Zealand openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls set a strong partnership after getting some lives. They set a 117-run partnership for the first wicket, which was New Zealand's second-highest ODI partnership for the first wicket against India in India. Both openers completed their half-centuries in the 20th over. 

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Harshit Rana dismissed Henry Nicholls with slower

In the 22nd over, while Harshit Rana returned for a new spell, he was punished for two back-to-back fours by Nicholls before Rana's change of pace did the trick for the hosts to pick up a key wicket. After conceding two consecutive fours, Rana delivered a full wide slower with the pace around 113 kmph, and Nicholls, surprised, went for a shot that travelled low to the keeper KL Rahul, who dived to take a good catch to bring that wicket for the hosts.  

Harshit Rana bowled Devon Conway with faster

In his next over, Rana's pace change brought another wicket with the set opener Conway, and this time the wicket came with the pace of 140+ kmph. In that over, the right-arm fast bowler continuously tested the opposition batters with his pace and slower deliveries. After delivering a slower ball, Rana ended that over with a 140+ kmph, where Conway had an inside edge that dragged on the leg stump to uproot the bails.

While Nicholls was out for 62 off 69 balls with eight fours, Conway was dismissed for 56 off 67 balls with six fours and one six.  

One brings two for Harshit Rana and #TeamIndia!

New Zealand lose both their openers.

Updates ▶️ https://t.co/OcIPHEpvjr#INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/gSzvDD40XU

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2026