Kohli 74 and Kamboj Star as India Beat New Zealand by Five Wickets in Auckland ODI Opener

India took a 1-0 lead in their five-match ODI series against New Zealand, winning the rain-affected opener at Eden Park in Auckland by five wickets under the DLS method.

New Zealand were bowled out for 185 in 40.2 overs, leaving India a revised target of 143, which they reached at 143 for 5 in 22.4 overs.

Virat Kohli led the chase with 74 off 51 balls, striking 13 fours and a six in a 113-run second-wicket stand with Shubman Gill, who made 37 off 56, before Kohli was caught at deep square leg playing a pull shot off Jacob Duffy.

Kamboj takes the honours

Anshul Kamboj was named Player of the Match for a superb spell of two wickets for 22 runs in 10 overs, while Arshdeep Singh took four for 70 and Gurnoor Brar three for 44 as India seamers shared nine wickets between them.

A birthday-eve gift

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar praised Kohli’s free-flowing innings on the eve of his birthday, while Rohit Sharma fell for a six-ball duck in his first ODI in three years. The second ODI is in Wellington on Saturday.

Source: Sportskeeda / ESPNcricinfo