IND vs NZ, 2025-26, 1st ODI Highlights: India stumble in a 301 chase but hold their nerve to win and take a 1-0 series lead.
Brief Scores: IND vs NZ, First ODI: NZ 300/8 (Daryll Mitchell 84, Henry Nicholls 62, Mohammed Siraj 2/40) lost to IND 306/6 (Virat Kohli 93, Shubman Gill 56, Kyle Jamieson 4/41). India win by four wickets and lead the series 1-0
Team India made a winning start to the year by registering a close four-wicket win over New Zealand in the first-ever ODI game at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. Things went to the wire, despite Virat Kohli’s 93, thanks to some spirited bowling and fielding performance from New Zealand players in their defense.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand reached the 300-run mark, thanks to half-centuries from three of their batters – Henry Nicholls, Devon Conway, and Daryll Mitchell
Talking Point: Shubman Gill among runs augurs well for India
India may not have won the game convincingly, but they would definitely be happy with the runs from the bat of their skipper, Shubman Gill. In his last 18 white ball innings (15 T20Is and 3 ODIs), Gill hasn’t gone past the fifty-run mark even once.
Though struggling in the initial phase of the innings, Gill found his groove as it progressed and reached his 16th half-century in 66 deliveries. India need him in-form going into a tough season ahead. This seems like a good beginning.
Read More: How Shubman Gill fared on his return to action with appearance for Punjab against Goa in VHT 2025-26
India pacers pull things back after strong NZ start
India, led by Shubman Gill, opted to field first after winning the toss. Kiwi openers, Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls, responded with a steady start. They went unscathed in the first power play, scoring 49 runs, bringing up their first century-stand together in 119 balls.
Just when they started to dominate things, Harshit Rana removed both openers in back-to-back overs, slowing the proceedings. In the second power play, India didn’t allow the visitors to get away with the game, picking three more wickets. The visitors added 163 runs in the 30-over phase.
They seemed to have lost their way in the last 10 overs with the loss of skipper Michael Bracewell. However, a solid knock from Daryll Mitchell ensured the Kiwis added 88 runs. As a result of his 84, they posted 300 on the board – a competitive total.
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Kohli’s 93 powers India to victory despite middle-order collapse
Much like New Zealand, India’s opening batters Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma took a cautious approach at the start of their innings. Once settled, Rohit quickly switched gears, hitting two maximums. Alas, he lost his wicket to Kyle Jamieson against the run of play. India, thus, scored 48 with the loss of one wicket in the powerplay.
Virat Kohli joined skipper Gill at the crease, and runs started to flow for both batters. They brought up their respective fifties during the course of this partnership and reached their 100-run stand in mere 91 balls. Looking to up the ante, Gill perished to the young leg-spinner Adithya Ashok for 57.
The arrival of Shreyas Iyer saw India moving ahead ever so easily, and unlike New Zealand, the hosts made the second power-play count, adding 191 runs. However, in the final over of that phase, Kyle Jamieson brought the Kiwis back into the contest, removing the well-set Kohli and also Ravindra Jadeja. Iyer, too, fell in Jamieson’s next over as they suddenly collapsed from 234/2 to 242/5.
Things got a bit tense, but Harshit Rana, who survived a dropped catch, tilted the game back in India’s favour with his 22-ball 29. In the end, KL Rahul played a composed knock to close things for India with an over to spare.
Statistical Highlights from India vs New Zealand, 1st ODI, Vadodara
- Devon Conway & Henry Nicholls brought up New Zealand’s third century stand for the opening wicket against India in ODIs in India.
- Harshit Rana has taken the second-most wickets (10) for India in middle overs (11-40) in ODIs since January 2025. Kuldeep Yadav leads the list with 11 scalps
- This is the second time in 3 ODI innings that Kyle Jamieson has taken the wicket of Rohit Sharma.
- Virat Kohli becomes the third batter to cross 28000 runs in international cricket.
- Virat Kohli (1750) now has the joint-most ODI runs against New Zealand for an India batter, equalling Sachin Tendulkar.
- Ravindra Jadeja has gone over 5 years without a fifty-plus score in ODIs.
Read More: ODI cricket: What are the observed & expected consequences of usage of one ball after 34th over?
What’s Next
India will aim to seal the three-match series in the second ODI when the sides meet again on January 14 at Rajkot. However, things won’t be easy as this young New Zealand side will come hard as they did throughout the course of the first ODI to make things competitive.
Top Twitter Reactions from IND vs NZ, 1st ODI, Vadodara, 2026
The eyes Chico, they never lie.
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 11, 2026
The glint in his eyes is back, so is the hunger. 5 consecutive 50+ scores. This is the Virat we know. Well played @imVkohli 👏👏😊 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/vmbvzcTVUQ
Harshit Rana shows what confidence can do to a pacer. Now he bowls fast, experiments with slower ball, swings the ball and isn't scared to bowl the bouncer. Heartening sign for Indian cricket.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 11, 2026
India's results when KL Rahul is unbeaten in an ODI run chase:
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 11, 2026
Wins: 13
Losses: 0
Once again, he was in complete control. He timed his attacks perfectly, took the game deep into the final two overs, and then unleashed the big shots.
Hard-fought win. Kohli and Iyer looked to be making it a cakewalk but Kohli’s dismissal led to unexpected crisis which could have become far worse had New Zealand not dropped two catches to let India off the hook
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 11, 2026
Read More: Shubman Gill wants better preparation for Tests; recommends 15-day camp before every series
