India vs New Zealand | New Zealand tour of India, 2026 | 1st ODI

For New Zealand, this defence was always going to be more about the education their young, inexperienced bowling group would receive. Bowling and challenging a batting lineup of this calibre, under pressure and in unfamiliar conditions, is exposure you simply cannot manufacture in training. It was a sharp learning curve for most of them, but one that will serve them well in the future. Okay then, India go 1-0 up in this 3-match ODI series and now, both teams will stay in Gujarat, but travel to Rajkot for the second ODI, which will be played on Wednesday, 14th January, at the Niranjan Shah Stadium. The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT). But do not forget to mark your presence in advance for all the buildup. Until then, it's goodbye, stay safe. Cheers!

India’s VIRAT KOHLI is named PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fluent 93 off 91 balls. He collects the award and steps in for a chat, and when Harsha Bhogle informs him that this is his 45th Player of the Match award in ODIs, Kohli responds with a smile, admitting he was unaware of the milestone. Shares he sends his awards to his mother, adding that it makes her feel very proud. Reflecting on his journey, he describes it as nothing short of a dream come true. Says he always believed in his abilities and worked really hard to reach where he is today, while also expressing deep gratitude for all that God has given him. Kohli admits that he isn’t thinking about milestones at this stage, stressing that his focus is purely on putting the team in a winning position. He explains that had India been batting first, he would have played with more aggression, but in the given situation, experience guided his approach. Further adds that batting at No. 3, his aim was to counterattack sensibly when things felt tricky, without attempting outrageous shots. Details that he felt a quick partnership in the first 20 balls was key. On the crowd cheering when a batter ahead of him gets out, Kohli admits he doesn’t feel good about it, recalling that he saw the same happen with MS Dhoni, though he understands the excitement of the crowd. He adds that he simply tries to stay focused on the game and says it is a blessing to see people come out to watch him play, something that fills him with gratitude and happiness.

The victorious captain of India, SHUBMAN GILL, is all smiles. He says that it always feels great to chip in, especially when you are chasing. Adds that staying in the presence is the key for any athlete in any sport, and just tries to do that. Mentions that the way Kohli is batting is really special and he is making it look easy. Tells that it is tough to start on a surface like this, but it is not easy to replicate what he is doing. Informs that keeping Arshdeep out was more of a rotation thing, and further adds that he did well against South Africa when Siraj wasn't there. Ends by saying that Sundar had a side strain and will go for scans after the game.

The captain of New Zealand, MICHAEL BRACEWELL, reflects on the defeat. He says the side can be proud of its overall effort, though he admits there are a few areas they would like to tidy up. Feels the game could have been very interesting had they managed to add another 20 runs to the total. Further adds that he was hoping Kyle Jamieson would be able to bowl around 15 overs, noting that it’s always great to watch him charging in. Bracewell then points out that the team has plenty of experience with the bat and says they will continue to rely on that. He also praises Daryl Mitchell for doing a great job with the bat. He says they often talk about producing match-changing moments in the field, and feels that had those chances been taken, the outcome could have been very different.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

Now, let's hear it from the man of the moment, KL RAHUL, who is up for a quick chat with the broadcasters. He shares that Harshit took a lot of pressure off him with his knock. Adds that he was very calm as they didn't need to chase much and at this level, you are expected to get 6-7 runs an over. Mentions that he knew Sundar had an injury, but didn't know he couldn't run. Tells that when he came in, they didn't need much and took a few risks, which, if they had paid off, this game would have finished earlier. Says that everyone who came in, chipped in well. Rohit got them started, while Kohli and Gill were excellent in that partnership and then Iyer also played nicely. Further adds that the pitch was on the slower side but didn't do much and the top order made the job easier for the next batters. Says that in the last 8-10 years, they have had a lot of last-over finishes against New Zealand, and they are a side that never gives up, which makes this contest very exciting. Ends by saying that he is looking forward to the upcoming games.

Earlier in the game, New Zealand were asked to bat and set a target. On a slowish kind of surface, the Indian bowlers couldn't apply the pressure early on as Conway and Nicholls enjoyed a rather comfortable start. Both batted for 20 overs and got off to their respective fifties, but both fell within the span of a few deliveries, which triggered a collapse. New Zealand slipped from 117/0 to 146/3, but the Indian pacers kept chipping away at the wickets further as well. Several batters got into their teens but couldn't carry forward on their starts. It was Daryl Mitchell, who held his ground and batted till the backend, scoring yet another fifty in this format and ending on 84. Kristian Clarke gave a good account of himself with the bat on his debut, adding 24 crucial runs and pushing the total to 300. For India, the pace trio of Rana, Siraj, and Prasidh bagged two apiece, whereas Kuldeep got a wicket to his name as well.

Demoted to number six, KL Rahul latched on and stuck like glue at the crease, managing the chase smartly alongside Harshit Rana. Rana briefly took the aggressive route, slashing the asking rate with a breezy 29, while Rahul was content playing second fiddle and holding the innings together. All New Zealand needed was someone to sustain the pressure Kyle Jamieson had built from the other end. But a few sloppy fielding lapses, including a dropped catch of Rana off Mitchell, coupled with the inexperience in the bowling attack, took the edge off that push. Rahul sensed his moment, lined up debutant Kristian Clarke, and slammed the door shut with a composed, authoritative finish.

It was followed by another handy little alliance between Kohli and Iyer, which just dragged the game away from the tourists. And with the increasing presence of dew, it got really hard to control the flow of runs. But against the run of play, and just seven runs short of a century, Kohli was dismissed, and from there came an unexpected twist as Jamieson delivered a dream spell by reducing India from 234/2 to 242/5 with a four-wicket haul. That slide brought the Kiwis right back in the fight as boundaries dried up. India still needed 59 runs to win in less than nine overs when Iyer got dismissed.

Gill took his time at the crease because Virat Kohli answered the call in emphatic fashion, and batted with complete freedom to keep the pressure sustained from one end. There was a phase of nearly nine overs where boundaries didn't come for India, but both kept themselves busy with regular strike rotation and kept the asking rate in check. Both made merry with a 118-run partnership before Gill's stay was cut short on 56 by Adithya Ashok. But still, the chase was well under control with enough wickets in hand.

Chasing 301, India, much like their opponents, began on a cautious note. Gill’s outside edge was beaten repeatedly by Foulkes, who found sharp outswing, while Jamieson hit the deck hard at times. Rohit, though, broke the shackles early and took on the role of the aggressor. Once both openers found their feet, they made the most of the fielding restrictions before Rohit fell, undone by his own attacking intent. India closed the Powerplay on 48/1. They might have pinched a couple, perhaps three more boundaries, but that leakage was expertly plugged by Glenn Phillips, whose acrobatic work at backward point prevented the ball from traveling.

This game had no business going down to the wire, and was well on course for an early finish with the way Kohli and Shreyas were batting at one point. But that is New Zealand for you. No matter the situation, they find a way to scrap, claw their way back, and drag opponents into deep waters. And to do so with a depleted bowling lineup just tells about their never say die attitude. But class has a habit of rising when it matters most. KL Rahul stayed ice-cool under pressure, anchored one end with composure and responsibility, and calmly finished the job when it counted.