IND vs NZ 1st ODI Live Scores and Updates
A Nervy Finish in Vadodara: The Battle at Kotambi Stadium
The cricketing calendar for 2026 has kicked off with a spectacle that fans will not soon forget, as the first One Day International between India and New Zealand descended into a nail-biting finish at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. Hosting a men’s ODI for the very first time in its history, and marking the return of international cricket to Vadodara after a 15-year hiatus, the venue provided a dramatic backdrop for a contest that swung like a pendulum between the two cricketing giants.
As the match edged toward its conclusion, the atmosphere in the stadium turned tense. Chasing a formidable target of 301 runs, India found themselves in a precarious position requiring 19 runs off the final 19 balls. The responsibility of steering the hosts home fell onto the shoulders of KL Rahul, batting on 10, and Washington Sundar, who had just joined him at the crease. This climax followed a spirited but ultimately insufficient cameo from Harshit Rana, who departed for 29 runs after trying to ease the mounting pressure with big hits.
The Chase: Top Order Brilliance and Heartbreak
India’s pursuit of 301 began with intent. The Indian openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, attacked the New Zealand bowling attack from the very beginning. The Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, looked in ominous touch, unleashing his trademark pull shot for six and finding the boundary with 6s and 4s. However, he failed to convert his start into a substantial score, departing for 26 off 29 balls after chipping a delivery into the air.
Following Rohit’s dismissal, Shubman Gill took charge. Returning to the squad after recovering from an injury that sidelined him during the South Africa series, Gill looked determined to make his mark. He crafted a steady innings, eventually losing his wicket to Adithya Ashok for 56 runs off 71 deliveries after picking out Glenn Phillips at mid-off.
However, the centerpiece of the Indian innings was undoubtedly Virat Kohli. The batting maestro anchored the chase with sublime skill, scoring 93 runs off 91 balls. His innings was laced with eight fours and a six, as he moved deceptively quickly into the 90s. Just as a century seemed inevitable, heartbreak struck. Kohli narrowly missed out on the three-figure mark, charging down the track in an attempt to hit over mid-off, only to hand a catch to the fielder. His dismissal marked a turning point, shifting the pressure back onto the Indian middle order.
The Middle Order Wobble and Jamieson’s Spell
Shreyas Iyer, batting in the middle order, looked poised to see India through. He built a crucial partnership and moved to 49 off 47 balls, looking comfortable against the spinners. Yet, just one run shy of a half-century, his innings was cut short by Kyle Jamieson. Jamieson, who proved to be the difference-maker for the Kiwis, delivered a knuckleball that deceived Iyer, resulting in a “nothing shot” where the bat and ball were in different postcodes.
Jamieson’s spell in the death overs was nothing short of brilliant. He utilized cutters, cross-seamers, and knuckleballs to stifle the Indian scoring rate. His impact was further felt when he dismissed Ravindra Jadeja early, who played a soft shot to mid-on, resulting in two wickets in quick succession for the tall pacer. These breakthroughs left India five down and in a spot of bother.
Harshit Rana attempted to counter-attack, slamming a slower ball from Foulkes deep into the stands for a six over mid-wicket. His 29-run contribution was vital, but his dismissal left the tail exposed with the match still hanging in the balance.
New Zealand’s Innings: A Strong Foundation
Earlier in the day, after Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bowl first, New Zealand justified the decision to bat on a surface that offered value for shots. The Kiwis got off to a flyer, with openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls frustrating the Indian bowlers. The duo stitched together a magnificent opening partnership of 117 runs.
Both openers reached their half-centuries in grand style, with Conway and Nicholls reaching the milestone on consecutive deliveries. Conway began to “tee off,” while Nicholls looked comfortable, punishing any errors in length. It took a breakthrough from Harshit Rana to snap the partnership; he dismissed Nicholls and later breached Conway’s defense to knock him over.
Daryl Mitchell’s Anchor Role
While the openers set the platform, it was Daryl Mitchell who ensured New Zealand posted a competitive total. Mitchell was the top scorer for the visitors, compiling a gritty 84 off 71 balls. He stood strong at one end while wickets fell around him, including Will Young and Glenn Phillips, who fell to Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav respectively.
Mitchell accelerated at the death, connecting with big shots, including a sequence of 4, 6, 4 to turn up the heat on the Indian bowlers. Although he eventually fell to Prasidh Krishna, his innings ensured the Blackcaps finished on exactly 300/8.
Bowling Honors
The Indian bowlers had to toil hard on a pitch that seemingly eased out as the game progressed. Harshit Rana was a standout performer, breaking the dangerous opening stand and utilizing slower balls effectively to deceive the batters. The three seamers used by India—Siraj, Prasidh, and Rana—shared the spoils evenly, taking two wickets apiece. Siraj found plenty of swing early in the innings, while Kuldeep Yadav chipped in with the wicket of Phillips.
The Final Equation
As the match entered its final phase, the equation was reduced to simple but high-pressure mathematics: India needed 19 runs from 19 balls with four wickets in hand. The game, which at the halfway mark seemed like an easy canter for India, had transformed into a thriller thanks to New Zealand’s resilience and Jamieson’s tactical bowling. With KL Rahul looking to farm the strike and Washington Sundar new to the crease, the fans in Vadodara witnessed a classic ODI finish to kickstart the year.
