India Beat New Zealand by 5 Wickets in Auckland to Take 1-0 ODI Series Lead

India defeated New Zealand by five wickets in the first ODI at Eden Park, Auckland, on November 4, 2026, taking a 1 to 0 series lead after Virat Kohli’s 74 guided a rain interrupted chase.

According to The Indian Express , India finished on 143/5 in 22.4 overs after being set a revised target of 143 from 32 overs under the DLS method. The visitors won with 56 balls remaining after bowling New Zealand out for 185 in 40.2 overs.

Kohli and Gill Put India In Control

India’s chase began with Rohit Sharma dismissed for a duck by Kyle Jamieson in the opening over. Kohli and captain Shubman Gill then added 113 runs for the second wicket, according to Cricbuzz .

Kohli struck 13 fours and one six in his 51 ball innings. Gill contributed 37 from 56 deliveries before Nathan Smith dismissed him with India on 114.

Rain interrupted the chase, reducing India’s allocation to 32 overs. The partnership had given India a strong platform, although New Zealand took four wickets as the score moved from 114 to 136.

Jacob Duffy dismissed Kohli, Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer to finish with three wickets for 49 runs. Iyer scored 15, while Patel was dismissed without scoring. KL Rahul and Naman Dhir completed the chase, remaining unbeaten on three and five respectively.

India’s Seamers Restrict New Zealand to 185

Earlier, Arshdeep Singh led India’s bowling effort with four wickets for 70 runs. Gurnoor Brar took three for 44 and Anshul Kamboj claimed two for 22, according to Rediff .

New Zealand slipped to 146/9 before Blair Tickner and Jacob Duffy added 39 for the final wicket, lifting the total to 185.

The Indian Express scorecard lists Tim Seifert as New Zealand’s leading scorer with 38 from 43 balls. Tickner made 34 from 23 deliveries, including four sixes, while Glenn Phillips contributed 30 and Daryl Mitchell scored 28. Duffy remained unbeaten on 15.

First ODI result at a glance

New Zealand: 185 all out in 40.2 overs.

India: 143/5 in 22.4 overs, chasing a revised target of 143 in 32 overs.

Result: India won by five wickets under the DLS method.

Series position: India lead 1 to 0 after the opening ODI.