Kohli, pacers ensure India’s victory versus fighting Kiwis

The batter's superb 93 off 91 deliveries helped hosts beat New Zealand by four wickets in the first ODI in Vadodara

- Sanjeev K Samyal

Trust a New Zealand team to punch above their weight. Even without a host of first-choice players for the one-day series against India, the Kiwis gave the star-studded India a fright in the first game of the three-match series at the new Baroda Cricket Association International Stadium here on Sunday.

In the first men’s international game at BCA’s new home, the visitors put up a spirited show to play their part in an exciting match which India won by four wickets with one over to spare.

Put into bat, NZ defied the home side’s spinners to raise 300/8. and their bowlers then backed it up by making India fight for every run in the chase. Only a vintage effort from Virat Kohli saved India the blushes. Riding on his sublime 93 (91b, 8x4, 1x6), India hung on to win the game.

Kohli became the fastest to complete 28,000 international runs (28,068), which is also the second highest tally with only Sachin Tendulkar (34,357) ahead.

Coming into the game on a dream run of 74”, 135, 102 and 65, Kohli was in sublime touch from ball one and looked set for his third hundred in four innings. However, lanky Kiwi pacer Kyle Jamieson provided a late twist in the game. With Kohli batting, India were cruising but Jamieson snapped up three quick wickets, including Kohli, to bring NZ back into the game. He returned great figures of 10-1-41-4.