Arshdeep claims 4-for as India go 1-0 up with five-wicket win in 1st ODI
Auckland: Virat Kohli celebrated his 38th birthday a day early with a commanding 74 as India registered a five-wicket victory over New Zealand in a rain-curtailed first ODI here on Wednesday.
Kohli struck 13 fours and a six in his 51-ball knock, guiding India to the revised target of 143 in 22.4 overs after the hosts were bowled out for 185 in 40.2 overs.
The former skipper added 113 runs for the second wicket with Shubman Gill (37) after Rohit Sharma fell for a duck. Kohli’s fluent strokeplay ensured India remained in control despite repeated rain interruptions.
Earlier, India’s inexperienced pace attack delivered an impressive performance, with Arshdeep Singh claiming 4/70 and Gurnoor Brar taking 3/44. Anshul Kamboj chipped in with 2/22, bowling an economical 10-over spell that included 46 dot balls. New Zealand struggled at 109/5 before their lower order pushed the total to 185. Arshdeep conceded three sixes in his final over but India completed the chase comfortably.
