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🔥 IND vs NZ 1st ODI 2026 – Match Overview

On 11 January 2026, the India vs New Zealand 1st ODI at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara delivered an exhilarating contest. India edged out New Zealand by 4 wickets, chasing 301 runs in a high-scoring game to take a 1–0 lead in the 3-Match ODI Series.

🎯 Final Score & Key Stats

Team	Score	Top Scorer	Best Bowler
New Zealand	300/8 (50 overs)	Daryl Mitchell 84	Kyle Jamieson 4/41
India	306/6 (49 overs)	Virat Kohli 93	Harshit Rana 2/38

Series Status: India leads 1–0, with 2 ODIs remaining.

🔔 What Made This Match Special

🏆 Historic Chase & Milestone

India’s chase of 301 runs marks their 20th successful 300+ chase in ODIs, the most by any team in cricket history.

💥 Key Performances

• Virat Kohli – Player of the Match: 93 runs off 91 balls. Anchored India’s chase, reaching personal milestones in ODI cricket. Fell just 7 runs short of a century.
• Shubman Gill: 56 runs, crucial support in middle overs.
• Shreyas Iyer: 49 runs, steady innings in the middle overs.
• KL Rahul: 29* (21) – guided India to victory in final overs.
• Harshit Rana: Impressive all-round performance, emerging as a key match influencer.

📊 New Zealand Innings Highlights

• Daryl Mitchell – 84 runs
• Henry Nicholls – 62 runs
• Devon Conway – 56 runs
• Strong partnerships, including an early century stand, set the stage for a thrilling chase.

🧠 Bowling Highlights

• Kyle Jamieson – 4 wickets, best bowling of the match
• Indian bowlers Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana took crucial wickets to keep NZ under check

📍 Match Turning Points

• NZ’s Strong Start: Solid opening partnership put India under early pressure
• India’s Middle-Overs Calm: Calculated batting minimized risky play
• Late Wicket Losses: Mini collapse brought tension, steadied by KL Rahul’s finishing

📈 Tactical Insight

• India’s chase strategy showcased patience in middle overs and calculated aggression when required
• Depth in batting helped withstand pressure
• New Zealand’s bowlers were consistent but couldn’t halt India’s momentum

📊 Notable Records & Facts

• India now leads ODI chase rankings with the most successful 300+ run chases ever
• Virat Kohli reached 28,000 international runs, among the fastest ever
• New Zealand’s opening partnership was their first 100+ stand away from home since 2019

📅 What’s Next in the India vs New Zealand ODI Series 2026

• 2nd ODI: India looks to extend the lead
• 3rd ODI: New Zealand will aim to bounce back and level the series

Expect exciting contests, tactical shifts, and potential record-breaking performances in the remaining matches.