Jamieson's four wickets fail to stop Indian victory charge.
It was a battle of nerves and skill at the Kotambi Stadium as India drew first blood in the series, defeating the Black Caps by four wickets. The India vs New Zealand 1st ODI lived up to the hype, offering fans a high-scoring thriller that went down to the penultimate over.
Opting to field first, the Indian bowlers faced stiff resistance. New Zealand constructed a formidable total of 300/8, anchored by a solid 84 from Daryl Mitchell and swift half-centuries from Devon Conway (56) and Henry Nicholls (62). While the visitors looked set for a bigger score, India's bowling unit chipped away at regular intervals. Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowlers with an economical 2/40, while Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna claimed two scalps each to keep the target within reach.
The chase began with typical aggression from Rohit Sharma, though his stay was short. It was the dynamic duo of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli who steadied the ship. Gill crafted a composed 56, but it was Kohli who truly commanded the innings. Falling just short of another century, Kohli’s masterful 93 off 91 balls set the foundation for the win. He struck eight boundaries and a six, dismantling the Kiwi attack with surgical precision.
However, the match took a dramatic turn courtesy of Kyle Jamieson. The tall pacer breathed life into the contest, tearing through India's middle order with a spectacular spell of 4/41. When Kohli and Shreyas Iyer (49) fell in quick succession, tension rippled through the stadium.
In the end, it was a calm cameo from KL Rahul (29*) and a brave knock from Harshit Rana (29) that steered the hosts home. India crossed the finish line at 306/6 with six balls to spare, taking a crucial 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
