Virat Kohli scored 93 to help India chase down 301 in a dramatic four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the opening one-day international on Sunday in Vadodara.
India fell from 234-2 to 242-5 before reaching their target with six balls to spare, despite the in-form Kohli scoring his 77th ODI half-century. Captain Shubman Gill scored 56 in a 118-run second-wicket partnership with Kohli, while Shreyas Iyer scored 49.
India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series thanks to late cameos by Harshit Rana (29) and wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, who scored an undefeated 29, including the winning six.
With figures of 4-41, Kyle Jamieson stood out amongst New Zealand bowlers.
Leading the chase, Kohli surpassed Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka (28,016 runs) to become the second-highest run scorer in international cricket, behind fellow Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar (34,357).
After he and fellow veteran Rohit Sharma, 38, retired from T20 and Test cricket, the 37-year-old Kohli only plays in the ODI format.
Rohit made a brisk start but fell for 26 to Jamieson, bringing Virat Kohli to the crease to a thunderous reception from the packed crowd. Kohli joined Gill and immediately took the attack to the opposition.
Gill, who has recovered from an injury and was left out of the T20 World Cup squad by the selectors, skillfully supported Kohli. Gill began slowly before picking up speed to reach his 16th ODI fifty, but then was dismissed by Adithya Ashok, a rookie leg-spinner.
Kohli was denied a century by Jamieson, who had him caught at extra cover, the former captain walking back to a standing ovation. In the same over, Jamieson removed Ravindra Jadeja for four and then bowled Iyer in the next, briefly lifting New Zealand’s hopes of a turnaround.
Washington Sundar, who came out to bat at number eight after reportedly suffering a side strain while bowling his off-spin, added to India’s problems.
Earlier, after the hosts chose to field first, Daryl Mitchell scored 84 to confound the Indian bowlers and help New Zealand reach 300-8.
Openers Devon Conway (56) and Henry Nicholls (62), put up 117, but following their impressive opening stand, New Zealand struggled to form significant partnerships.
Pacers Mohammed Siraj, Rana, and Praisdh Krishna each claimed two wickets.
Rajkot will host the second game on Wednesday.
There will be five Twenty20 matches after the ODI series, ahead of the T20 World Cup, which will take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
