Kohli’s 74 leads India to five-wicket win in rain-hit Auckland ODI

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Virat Kohli scored 74 as India beat New Zealand by five wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in the rain-interrupted first one-day international at Eden Park on Wednesday. The visitors reached 143 for five to take a 1–0 lead in the five-match series.

India had initially needed 186 after dismissing New Zealand for 185 in 40.2 overs. Repeated showers reduced the chase to 32 overs and brought the final target down to 143, which India achieved in 22.4 overs with 56 balls remaining.

Rohit Sharma's dismissal for a duck in the opening over gave New Zealand an early breakthrough, but Kohli and captain Shubman Gill rebuilt the innings together. Gill made 37, while Kohli struck 13 fours and a six during his 51-ball stay.

New Zealand took several wickets late in the chase, with Jacob Duffy finishing with three for 49. Kohli was among his victims, but KL Rahul and Naman Dhir completed the pursuit before the hosts could turn that spell into a more substantial threat.

The foundation for India's victory was laid by the seamers. Arshdeep Singh took four for 70, Gurnoor Brar three for 44 and Anshul Kamboj two for 22. Kamboj conceded just over two runs an over across his full ten-over allocation, helping prevent New Zealand from building momentum.

Tim Seifert was the home side's highest scorer with 38. Glenn Phillips added 30 and Daryl Mitchell made 28 before being run out following a sharp intervention by Sharma. Blair Tickner provided late resistance with 34 from 23 balls, including four sixes, but New Zealand still finished well short of using their 50 overs.

The result follows India's 3–2 victory in the Twenty20 series. The second ODI is scheduled for Wellington on Saturday, 7 November.