Kohli's 74 and Arshdeep's four wickets give India rain-hit win over New Zealand in Auckland

India took a 1-0 lead in their five-match one-day series in New Zealand after a five-wicket win on the DLS method at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday, 4 November. Virat Kohli struck a rapid 74 off 51 balls in a chase cut short twice by rain, and India's seamers had earlier dismissed the hosts for 185. The visitors got home with 56 balls to spare.

India's quicks set it up

Rain delayed the toss, and when play got under way Shubman Gill chose to bowl first. The decision paid off. New Zealand never built a substantial partnership and were all out for 185 in 40.2 overs.

Tim Seifert top-scored with 38 from 43 balls, Blair Tickner added a lively 34 off 23 from the lower order, and Glenn Phillips (30) and Daryl Mitchell (28) made starts without going on.

Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh led the attack with four wickets, while Gurnoor Brar chipped in with three. Anshul Kamboj was the most economical, returning 2-22 from his ten overs, a spell that earned him the Player of the Match award.

Two rain breaks and a shifting target

India's reply began badly when Rohit Sharma fell for a duck, but Kohli and Gill steadied things. Rain stopped play with India on 54 for one after 10.5 overs, and the target was revised to 167 from 40 overs. A second interruption came at 64 for one after 12 overs, and the DLS target dropped again, to 143 from 32 overs.

That changed the shape of the chase. Kohli went on the attack, hitting 13 fours and a six on the way to his 80th ODI half-century. Gill provided support with 37 off 56 balls.

A late wobble, but no real danger

India lost a few wickets as they pushed for the line. Axar Patel was out without scoring, and Shreyas Iyer was dismissed with the score on 136 for five in the 22nd over. Naman Dhir then hit the winning runs, and India finished the job in 22.4 overs.

For New Zealand, under Mitchell Santner's captaincy, the batting will be the main concern. Being bowled out with almost ten overs unused left India a modest target even before the weather intervened.

What's next in the series

The teams move on to Wellington for the second ODI on Saturday, 7 November, at Hnry Stadium. The match starts at 3pm local time, which is 10am in Malaysia (MYT). With five matches in the series, New Zealand have time to respond, but India's bowlers have set the early tone.

Key takeaways

• India beat New Zealand by five wickets (DLS) in the first ODI at Eden Park on 4 November.
• New Zealand were bowled out for 185 in 40.2 overs; Arshdeep Singh took four wickets.
• Two rain breaks reduced India's target to 143 from 32 overs, reached in 22.4 overs.
• Virat Kohli made 74 off 51 balls, his 80th ODI fifty; Anshul Kamboj (2-22) was Player of the Match.
• India lead the five-match series 1-0, with game two in Wellington on 7 November.

FAQ

Who won the first ODI between New Zealand and India? India won by five wickets on the DLS method, chasing a revised target of 143 from 32 overs with 56 balls remaining.

Who was Player of the Match? Seamer Anshul Kamboj, who took 2-22 from his ten overs. Virat Kohli top-scored with 74.

When is the second ODI and what time does it start in Malaysia? The second ODI is on Saturday, 7 November, in Wellington, starting at 3pm local time, or 10am MYT.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo, Outlook India, CricketNews.com, Yahoo Sports