INDvNZ 1st ODI report: Kohli magic and Arshdeep’s four-fer guide the Men In Blue to a five-wicket win

India opened their ODI series against New Zealand at Eden Park with a five wicket win, and not even the rain could spoil it. A sharp show with the ball and in the field. A vintage Virat Kohli innings made sure of it as India won with 56 balls to spare.

Arshdeep sets the tone at a damp Eden Park A wet outfield delayed the toss by about 20 minutes, but Shubman Gill won it and chose to bowl, and India wasted no time. Arshdeep Singh struck in the fifth over to remove Will Young. Tim Seifert looked dangerous for a while, but Gurnoor Brar ended his stay in the 15th over.

Sharp hands and a pace attack turn the screws Gurnoor then took a lovely return catch to dismiss Tom Latham, and India held back spin until Axar Patel arrived in the 22nd over, a bold call with four seamers in the XI, which paid off beautifully. A 39-year-old Rohit Sharma showed his sharp fielding with a brilliant diving effort to run out Daryl Mitchell. Meanwhile, Kohli was not to be left behind, who dived magnificently at the slip to snap up Smith. Arshdeep added Jamieson and Glenn Phillips to finish with four wickets. A lusty cameo from Blair Tickner lifted New Zealand to 185.