AUCKLAND : India opened their five-match ODI series against New Zealand with a dominant five-wicket victory at Eden Park, driven by a fiery bowling effort and a blistering half-century from Virat Kohli.
After electing to field first, the Indian pace attack restricted the hosts to a modest total of 185 in 40.2 overs. Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh led the charge with a dynamic four-wicket haul (4/70), well supported by Gurnoor Brar, who picked up 3/44.
Rain interrupted the chase, resulting in a revised DLS target of 143 runs from 32 overs. India made quick work of the pursuit, scaling the target in 22.4 overs with five wickets to spare. Virat Kohli anchored the chase with an undefeated 74 off 51 balls, striking 13 boundaries and a six, alongside skipper Shubman Gill’s steady 37.
