POTM: Virat Kohli (93)
By: Sportspress Senior Cricket Analyst
Date: January 11, 2026
Match: India vs. New Zealand (1st ODI)
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium / Gujarat (Context dependent)
Result: India won by 4 wickets (6 balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Virat Kohli (93 runs)
Series: India leads 1-0
In a match that swung like a pendulum, India drew first blood in the 3-match ODI series against New Zealand, chasing down a challenging target of 301 with just one over to spare.
It was a contest that had everything: a brilliant hundred missed by a whisker, a debutant making his mark, a dramatic collapse, and an ice-cool finish. While Virat Kohli set the platform with a majestic 93, it was the calm head of KL Rahul and a cameo from Harshit Rana that ensured India crossed the finish line in a tense finale.
Here is the complete, blow-by-blow analysis of how the Men in Blue overcame a spirited Kiwi challenge to take a 1-0 series lead.
CHAPTER 1: The New Zealand Innings – A Tale of Two Halves
Asked to bat first on a slowish surface, New Zealand’s innings was a classic case of "what could have been."
They started strongly, stuttered badly, and then recovered to post a competitive total of 300/8.
The Solid Start & Sudden Collapse
New Zealand openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls provided a comfortable start, batting for nearly 20 overs and both scoring fifties. At 117/0, they looked set for a massive total.
However, cricket is a funny game. Both openers fell within a span of a few deliveries, triggering a mini-collapse. New Zealand slipped from a comfortable 117/0 to a precarious 146/3, as the Indian spinners and pacers clawed their way back into the game.
Daryl Mitchell: The Savior
Just when it looked like the Kiwis might falter, Daryl Mitchell stood tall.
- The Knock: He played a brilliant innings of 84 runs, holding the innings together while wickets fell around him.
- The Partnerships: He found able allies, but many batters got into their teens and couldn't convert. It was Mitchell's ability to rotate strike and find boundaries late in the innings that kept New Zealand in the hunt.
- The Debutant’s Cameo: Debutant Kristian Clarke showed he is no mug with the bat, adding a crucial 24 runs at the death to push the total to the psychological 300-run mark.
Bowling Heroes for India:
The pace trio of Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna each picked up 2 wickets. Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with one, but the bowlers struggled to apply pressure consistently on a surface that didn't offer too many demons.
CHAPTER 2: The Chase – India’s Rollercoaster Ride
Chasing 301 is never easy, especially under lights when the ball might do a bit. India’s response was measured, explosive, and then nerve-wracking.
The Powerplay: Rohit’s Aggression
Captain Rohit Sharma didn't wait around. While Shubman Gill took his time to settle against the swinging ball of Zakary Foulkes and the bounce of Kyle Jamieson, Rohit took on the role of the aggressor.
Although Rohit fell for 48, undone by his own attacking intent, he had given India the start they needed. India ended the Powerplay at 48/1, but it could have been more if not for Glenn Phillips' acrobatic fielding.
The Kohli-Gill Partnership (118 Runs)
This was the phase where India looked like they were cruising.
- Virat Kohli: Walking in at No. 3, Kohli looked in sublime touch. He admitted later that had India batted first, he would have been more aggressive, but chasing required "experience". He rotated the strike, found the gaps, and built a massive 118-run partnership with Gill.
- Shubman Gill: The captain played second fiddle perfectly, scoring a composed 56 before falling to Adithya Ashok.
The Twist: Jamieson’s Dream Spell
Just when Kohli and Shreyas Iyer seemed to be taking the game away, disaster struck.
- Kohli’s Heartbreak: On 93, just 7 runs short of his century, Kohli was dismissed.
- The Collapse: Kyle Jamieson then produced a spell for the ages. He ripped through the Indian middle order, reducing India from a comfortable 234/2 to a panic-inducing 242/5. Suddenly, boundaries dried up. The required run rate climbed. India still needed 59 runs in less than 9 overs with only the lower order left.
CHAPTER 3: The Finish – KL Rahul & Harshit Rana to the Rescue
This is where the game was won.
With the pressure mounting, India needed calm heads. They got one in KL Rahul and a surprise package in Harshit Rana.
Harshit Rana’s Cameo (29 off 23)
Promoted or not, Rana played a gem of an innings.
- Aggression: He didn't just block; he attacked. He scored a breezy 29 off 23 balls, taking the pressure off Rahul.
- The Impact: His fearless hitting brought the required run rate down significantly. Although he fell to debutant Kristian Clarke (giving Clarke his maiden ODI wicket), Rana had done his job.
KL Rahul: The Ice Man (29* off 21)
KL Rahul, batting at No. 6, played the perfect finisher's role.
- The Strategy: He realized that Rana was hitting well, so he was content playing second fiddle initially.
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The Finish: When it mattered most, Rahul shifted gears.
- The 49th Over: With 11 needed off 12 balls, the pressure was on.
- The Winning Shot: Facing Clarke in the final over, Rahul smashed a SIX over deep mid-wicket to seal the game in style.
- The Stats: He finished unbeaten on 29 off 21 balls, hitting back-to-back boundaries and a six to end the match with 6 balls to spare.
CHAPTER 4: Post-Match Reactions & Awards
Virat Kohli (Player of the Match):
Kohli collected his 45th ODI Player of the Match award. In a humble interview, he admitted he wasn't aware of the milestone and dedicated the award to his mother.
"I wasn't thinking about milestones... my focus is purely on putting the team in a winning position," Kohli said. He also touched upon the crowd cheering when a batter gets out so he can come in, saying he understands the excitement but feels for the dismissed batter.
Shubman Gill (Winning Captain):
Gill was all smiles. He praised Kohli’s batting, calling it "special" and saying he makes it look easy. He also clarified that resting Arshdeep Singh was part of a rotation policy and mentioned that Washington Sundar had a side strain and would go for scans.
Michael Bracewell (Losing Captain):
Bracewell was proud of his young side's effort. He felt that 20 more runs could have made the game very interesting. He lamented the dropped chances in the field, noting that taking those catches could have changed the outcome.
KL Rahul:
Rahul spoke about the calmness in the chase. He mentioned that since the required rate wasn't too high (6-7 runs/over), he didn't need to take unnecessary risks until the end. He also praised the "never-give-up" attitude of the New Zealand side.
Conclusion: India Takes the Lead!
This was a classic ODI contest. New Zealand fought tooth and nail with a depleted bowling attack, but India’s experience and depth proved too much.
Virat Kohli showed why he is the master of the chase, and KL Rahul reminded everyone of his value as a finisher.
The caravan now moves to Rajkot for the 2nd ODI on Wednesday, 14th January. With India leading 1-0, the pressure is squarely on the Black Caps to bounce back.
Final Scorecard Summary:
- New Zealand: 300/8 (Mitchell 84, Conway 50s, Rana 2/Wkts)
- India: 306/6 (Kohli 93, Gill 56, Rahul 29*)
- Result: India won by 4 wickets.
FAQ: India vs New Zealand 1st ODI Result
Q1: Who won the 1st ODI between IND and NZ?
Ans: India won the match by 4 wickets with 6 balls remaining.
Q2: Who was the Player of the Match?
Ans: Virat Kohli was named Player of the Match for his brilliant knock of 93 runs off 91 balls.
Q3: Did Virat Kohli score a century?
Ans: No, Virat Kohli missed his century by just 7 runs, getting dismissed for 93.
Q4: Who hit the winning runs for India?
Ans: KL Rahul hit the winning runs with a SIX over deep mid-wicket.
Q5: When is the next match (2nd ODI)?
Ans: The 2nd ODI will be played on Wednesday, 14th January at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot. The match starts at 1:30 PM IST.
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