Virat Kohli's brilliant 74 helped India beat New Zealand by five wickets in a rain-affected first ODI at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday. India have taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, with the second match scheduled in Wellington on November 7.
New Zealand were bowled out for 185 in 40.2 overs. India's fast bowlers played a major role in restricting the hosts. Arshdeep Singh took four wickets, Gurnoor Brar claimed three for 44, while Anshul Kamboj picked up two for just 22 runs.
India's chase was interrupted by rain several times. Under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, the target was first revised to 167 in 40 overs. Further rain reduced the innings to 32 overs, bringing the winning target down to 143.
The revised target did not trouble India much. Kohli scored 74 off 51 balls, hitting 13 boundaries and a six. Shubman Gill contributed 37 runs, and the pair added 113 runs for the second wicket. Rohit Sharma, however, was dismissed for a duck.
Interestingly, Rohit made an important contribution in the field earlier. His sharp run-out of Daryl Mitchell stopped a growing partnership with Glenn Phillips. Captain Gill later described the dismissal as a turning point in the match.
India reached 143 for five in just 22.4 overs to seal the victory.
What does DLS mean?
DLS is a mathematical method used to revise targets in rain-affected matches. It considers the overs and resources available to both teams. It helps maintain a fair contest when weather interrupts play.
Three things to watch in Wellington
- Can Kohli continue his excellent batting form?
- Will New Zealand find a way to handle India's fast bowlers?
- Can Rohit Sharma turn his first-match disappointment into a strong batting performance?
The second ODI will take place at Hnry Stadium, Wellington, on November 7, starting at 7:30 AM IST.
