Shreyas Iyer, Kohli 74: India beat New Zealand by 5 wickets in rain-hit 1st ODI

India took a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series in New Zealand on Wednesday, 4 November, beating the hosts by five wickets under the DLS method at Auckland’s Eden Park. Virat Kohli made 74 off 51 balls as India chased a rain-reduced 143 in 32 overs with 56 balls to spare.

Shreyas Iyer, one of Pakistan’s top Google searches of the day, played his part twice: a sharp catch to remove opener Will Young early, and a quick 15 off 13 balls in the chase.

How New Zealand were bowled out for 185

India’s seamers had New Zealand in trouble from the start. Arshdeep Singh removed Will Young, with Iyer taking the catch, and later Henry Nicholls and Glenn Phillips. Young fast bowler Anshul Kamboj was the stand-out, with tight figures and two wickets.

Tim Seifert top-scored with 38, Glenn Phillips ground out 30 off 51 balls and Daryl Mitchell was run out. The total only reached 185 because of a late swing from Blair Tickner, who hit 34 off 21 balls. New Zealand were all out in 40.2 overs.

Rain, DLS and Kohli

Rain then cut India’s innings to 32 overs, and the DLS method set a revised target of 143. Rohit Sharma fell for a duck in the first over, but Kohli took the game away with 13 fours and a six in his 74. Shubman Gill made a steadier 37 off 56, Iyer added his 15, and KL Rahul and Naman Dhir finished the job in the 23rd over, Dhir hitting the winning boundary off Nathan Smith. Jacob Duffy, who dismissed Iyer, was New Zealand’s best bowler.

Why Pakistani fans are following it

India’s results matter in Pakistan for more than rivalry. The 50-over World Cup comes to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027, and India are still the side every team measures itself against. Kohli’s form in particular is a talking point on both sides of the border every time he bats.

The second ODI is next in the series, with India one win up.