Vadodara: Team India started the new year in a memorable way by defeating New Zealand by 4 wickets in the first ODI. Playing for the first time in the new Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, the Indian team gave the audience a chance to watch an exciting match. Team India returned to Vadodara after almost 15 years and registered a win on this ground and took a 1-0 lead in the series. The hero of this victory was Virat Kohli, who may not have completed a century, but laid the foundation of victory by playing a strong innings.

New Zealand’s strong start

After winning the toss, New Zealand team came to bat first and scored 300 runs for 8 wickets in 50 overs. The opening pair Henry Nicholls and Devon Conway put the Indian bowlers under pressure in the beginning. Both of them scored brilliant half-centuries while making a partnership of 117 runs in 21 overs. This partnership had created problems for India.

However, young fast bowler Harshit Rana broke this pair and brought India back into the match. Even after this, Darryl Mitchell held one end and completed his half-century while playing a responsible innings. Mitchell was out on 84 runs after coming close to his century. In the last overs, New Zealand’s lower order scored runs rapidly and took the score to 300.

Tight bowling by Siraj-Rana

Mohammad Siraj was the most impressive among the Indian bowlers. He took 2 important wickets for just 40 runs in 8 overs and controlled the run rate. Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna also got 2 successes each, due to which New Zealand missed out on making a big score.

Rohit returned early, Kohli took over the innings

The start of the Indian team, which came to chase the target of 301 runs, was not special. Former captain Rohit Sharma showed aggressive attitude and hit two sixes and some fours, but he could not play a long innings. Captain Shubhman Gill played cautiously in the beginning and was seen struggling to score runs.

Kohli-Gill’s century partnership

After Rohit’s dismissal, Virat Kohli came to the crease and as soon as he came, he started hitting fours in his familiar style. During this innings, Kohli also completed 28,000 runs in international cricket. There was an important partnership of 118 runs between Kohli and Gill, which put India on the path to victory. Even after Gill was out, Kohli kept the innings under control.

Memorable win and lead in the series

Although Kohli missed a century, his innings proved to be decisive for the team. In the end, Indian batsmen showed patience and achieved the target and won by 4 wickets. This victory in the new year has increased the confidence of Team India and the people of Vadodara also got a full opportunity to celebrate.