One calm finisher. One tense chase. India start 2026 with a statement win.
India began their 2026 ODI series against New Zealand with a thrilling 4-wicket win in Vadodara on January 11, thanks to KL Rahul’s ice-cool finish under pressure. Chasing 301, India crossed the line in the final over, leaving fans on the edge of their seats at Kotambi Stadium.
New Zealand Set a Strong Target
Batting first, New Zealand posted 300/8 in 50 overs, built around a solid top-order performance.
Daryl Mitchell anchored the innings with a classy 84, while Henry Nicholls (62) and Devon Conway (56) stitched together a crucial 117-run opening stand.
India pulled things back smartly in the middle and death overs.
Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna picked up two wickets each, preventing New Zealand from accelerating beyond 320 despite a promising platform.
India’s Chase: Smooth Start, Sudden Chaos
India started confidently in reply.
Shubman Gill looked fluent for his 56, while Virat Kohli played a masterclass, scoring 93 off 91 balls, controlling the chase with precision.
However, the match turned sharply after Gill’s dismissal at 157/2.
New Zealand struck back with quick wickets as Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shreyas Iyer fell in quick succession, creating real pressure in the final overs.
KL Rahul Delivers When It Matters Most
With the game hanging in the balance, KL Rahul showed why he is one of India’s most reliable finishers.
Facing debutant Kristian Clarke in the final over, Rahul sealed the match in style — 4, 4, and a towering 6 — finishing unbeaten on 29 off 21 balls as India reached 306/6 in 49 overs.
Team News & What’s Next
India missed Rishabh Pant, who was ruled out due to a nets injury, with Dhruv Jurel stepping in.
New Zealand, led by Michael Bracewell, fielded a less-than-full-strength squad but showed resilience throughout.
With this win, India take a 1–0 lead in the series.
The second ODI will be played on January 14, where New Zealand will look to bounce back against a confident Indian side aiming for early dominance.