India vs New Zealand 1st ODI - Match Highlights

Hosts India have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand after winning the series opener by four wickets with one over remaining. While the former Indian captain Virat Kohli played another memorable innings of 93 runs, the Men in Blues secured a strong win despite middle-order hiccups. 

Indian captain Shubman Gill chose to field first after winning the toss at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, which was hosting its first men's international match. While New Zealand scored 300/8 in 50 overs, India chased down the target in 49 overs after losing six wickets. 

Watch: Brilliant Harshit Rana dismisses both set New Zealand openers in IND vs NZ 1st ODI

Drayl Mitchell played powerful innings after strong opening start

New Zealand openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls provided the perfect start after the Indian fielders dropped a few chances. They had a 117-run partnership for the first wicket, while Harshit Rana dismissed both the openers in back-to-back overs. While Nicholls scored 62 off 69 balls with eight fours, Conway scored 56 off 67 balls with six fours and one six.

However, Blackcaps lost the plot in the middle overs, as the hosts were taking wickets at regular intervals. Apart from Daryl Mitchell, all other middle-order batters failed to put up a solid reply to the home bowlers. Dangerous-looking Mitchell scored 84 off 71 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes. No.9 batter Kristian Clarke, who made his international cricket debut in this game, added a crucial 24 not out off 17 balls with the help of three fours, and it helped the visitors to put a challenging total on the board. 

Mohammed Siraj (2/40), Prasidh Krishna (2/60), and Harshit Rana (2/65) all got two wickets each, while Kuldeep Yadav (1/52) had one wicket. 

Virat Kohli led chase in a nervy success

In reply, Rohit Sharma and the skipper Shubman Gill set a 39-run partnership before the former captain was dismissed for 26 off 29 balls with three fours and two sixes. Then Gill and Virat Kohli had a 118-run partnership for the second wicket. Gill scored 56 off 71 balls with the help of three fours and two sixes, as he lost his wicket soon after getting treatment on the field, possibly due to cramps.

Kohli then got strong support from the comeback man Shreyas Iyer, as they had a 77-run partnership for the third wicket. Kohli completed his half-century in 44 balls, as the former Indian skipper scored 93 off 91 balls (eight fours and one six) before losing his wicket. It was Kohli's 5th 50+ score in ODI cricket, while the right-handed batter has scored 50+ runs in last seven List A innings. 

Soon after Kohli's dismissal, Ravindra Jadeja (4) and set-Shreyas Iyer (49) were dismissed, as the hosts were suddenly under pressure with 59 required in 53 balls with five wickets in hand. 

KL Rahul and Harshit Rana had a crucial partnership that rescued the hosts. They had a vital 37-run partnership for the sixth wicket, as Rana scored 29 off 23 balls before losing his wicket. Rahul remained not out for 29 off 21 balls, while Washington Sundar (7 not out) provided the required support for the victory. 

While the Blackcaps bowling line-up had a lack of experience, Kyle Jamieson bagged four wickets, as he had the bowling figures of 10-1-41-4.