On the fall of India’s opening batter Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli slowly strolled into the middle in the 301-run chase against New Zealand during the first ODI of the three-match series at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. He was in terrific form, scoring two half-centuries and two centuries in the last four ODI innings against Australia and South Africa. 

Even on Kohli's return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi, the right-handed batter celebrated a fine knock of 131 against Andhra Pradesh before putting in a fine knock of 77 against Gujarat. Kohli started in the same aggressive fashion as you showed in the Proteas series with two successive boundaries against Kristian Clarke before thumping young leg-spinner, Adithya Ashok. 

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With a single in the 14th over, Kohli completed 28,000 runs in international cricket, becoming the quickest to reach there in just six to four innings, bettering Sachin Tendulkar, who crossed the record in 644 innings, while Kumar Sangakkara reached there in 666 innings.

Virat Kohli notches up his 76th ODI half-century 

With another single, Kohli goes past Sangakkara to become the second leading run-getter across formats with 28017 runs, as only Tendulkar remains above him with 34357 runs. With another single, he celebrated his 76th half-century in the 50-over format as the loudest Vadodara crowd cheered for the veteran batter’s landmark.

Watch the video here: 

Fifth consecutive 50+ score for @imVkohli in ODIs 🔥

74* vs AUS
135 vs SA
102 vs SA
65* vs SA
52* vs NZ (today)#INDvNZ, 1st ODI LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/WbMZTXL0By pic.twitter.com/U3uleNyadA

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 11, 2026

Soon, Subman Gill also reached his respective half-century from the other end before being seen to be struggling with a little bit of a backspace as the India team physio ran into the middle and gave him some treatment. India made their way to 152 for the loss of one wicket in 26 overs, thanks to the ongoing partnership of 113 runs for the second wicket between these two batters.

Earlier in the afternoon, Devon Conway and Henry Nicolas put up an opening partnership of 117 runs before Daryl Mitchell gave them a good finish with his fine knock of 84 runs as New Zealand made their way to 300 for the loss of eight wickets in the allotted 50 overs.