Kohli hits 74 off 51 as India beat New Zealand by five wickets in the rain-hit first ODI at Eden Park

India beat New Zealand by five wickets in the first ODI at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday 4 November 2026, and lead the five-match series 1-0. Virat Kohli scored 74 off 51 balls in a rain-affected chase, AFP reported.

How the match went

India won the toss and chose to field after a 10-minute delay for showers. New Zealand reached 73-2 in the 14th over, with Will Young and Henry Nicholls out cheaply, and were bowled out for 185. Tim Seifert, playing in place of Devon Conway after he was concussed in a collision with Matt Henry in training on Tuesday, made 38, the top score. Daryl Mitchell scored 28 and Glenn Phillips 30. Jacob Duffy took three wickets.

The chase

Rohit Sharma was out for a duck in the first over, which brought Kohli in. He hit 13 fours and a six and reached his 80th ODI fifty off 35 balls on a quick, bouncy pitch, pulling and hooking the short ball. India captain Shubman Gill made 37 off 56, and the pair put on 113.

Rain stopped play twice, first in the 11th over with India at 54-1 and again an over later. After the third interruption India's target was reduced under the Duckworth-Lewis method to 143 in 32 overs, or 79 more in 20 overs. Kohli scored double figures in each of the next three overs and the chase was effectively over. India finished with 56 balls left.

Scoreboard

• New Zealand: 185 all out.
• India: won by five wickets, target 143 in 32 overs (DLS).
• Player of the match: not named in the AFP report.
• Series: India lead 1-0 after five games.

Kohli turns 38 on Thursday. India had already taken the T20I series 3-2, which we covered after the fifth T20I.

What Pakistani viewers should know

New Zealand is eight hours ahead of Pakistan in November, so evening play in Auckland falls in the morning in Pakistan. Check the official schedule for the second ODI start time. Our cricket section carries fixtures and results as they are confirmed.