Earlier in the day, the Kiwis trailed by 300/8 Daryl Mitchell‘s counter-attack 84, but India’s resilience ensured a perfect start to their 2026 domestic season. The highlight of the match was Kohli reaching the monumental milestone of 28,000 international runs on his daughter’s fifth birthday. Despite a late wobble that saw India slump to 242/5, the composure of the lower order saw the hosts home in a final. This win marks India’s first ODI win at this venue and sets a dominant tone for the rest of the series.
IND vs NZ, 1st ODI: Virat Kohli masterclass and the historic milestone of 28,000
After the early departure of Rohit Sharma for 26, Kohli walked out to a deafening roar and immediately took control of the 301-run chase with surgical precision. He anchored the innings with a brilliant 93 off 91 balls, punishing every width from the Kiwi pacers and manipulating the gaps with his trademark wrist flick.
During this innings, Kohli became the fastest player in history to reach 28,000 international runs, achieving the feat in just his 624th innings, surpassing the mark Sachin Tendulkar. His 123-run partnership with Shubman Gill (56) neutralized the New Zealand spin attack and placed India in a position of absolute command by the 30th. Even as he neared the century, Kohli maintained a high strike rate, never pushing the required number of runs out of reach despite the increasing pressure of the chase.
But just when a hundred seemed certain, he was brilliantly caught Michael Bracewell out Kyle Jamiesonand left the stadium in stunned silence. Despite missing out on the personal milestone of a century, his innings provided the foundation on which India’s victory was built. Kohli’s presence at the crease acted as a stabiliser Shreyas Iyerwho played a supporting role of 49 to keep the scoreboard going. This blow cemented his status as the foremost hunting master of modern times, especially on such an important personal date.
SEE ALSO: IND vs NZ: Shreyas Iyer sends Michael Bracewell packing with a rocket throw during Vadodara ODI
IND vs NZ, 1st ODI: Harshit Rana’s all-round heroics stun the Black Caps
Harshit emerged as the unsung hero of the match and delivered a stellar performance with both ball and bat to tilt the game in India’s favour. In the first innings it was Rana who provided the crucial breakthrough by rejecting both set openers, Devon Conway And Henry Nichollsin successive overs to break an opening score of 117 runs as he finished with figures of 2/65.
Getting to the point where India needed 59 runs from 45 balls and the specialist batters were back in the pavilion, Rana showed remarkable temperament for a young all-rounder. He played a fearless cameo of 29 runs off just 23 deliveries, including a huge six over long-on that shifted the momentum back to the hosts. His ability to find boundaries in death eased the pressure KL Rahulultimately allowing the senior pro to seal the match in the penultimate over.
Although Rana was dismissed in the 47th over, his contribution had already reduced the equation to a manageable run-a-ball scenario. Combined with his early wickets, this performance has firmly established Rana as a serious contender for the bowling all-rounder spot. His energy in the field and resistance under pressure were the final ingredients India needed to overcome a disciplined New Zealand unit.
Here’s how fans reacted:
It’s hard to compare eras because I haven’t seen Richards and Sachin face much tougher conditions, but Kohli is by far the most dominant ODI batsmen I’ve ever seen.
The fact that he’s still doing it is crazy.
— Neal Gardner (@Nealbackup) January 11, 2026
Virat’s batting at the moment is a joy to watch. The freedom, ease and happiness with which he plays shows how much he enjoys the game.#INDvNZ
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) January 11, 2026
Rarely will you see Virat Kohli step out like this in an ODI in the 90s. There were 100 of them
It has written all over it tonight, the typical ODI template that Virat favors.
Doesn’t matter, he will get it every game he wants as he has been batting in ODIs of late.
Only that today too… pic.twitter.com/AyKcWoFWDX— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) January 11, 2026
Harshit Rana has consistently given India breakthroughs. Dum is.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 11, 2026
Harshit Rana shows what confidence can do to a pacer. Now he bowls fast, experiments with a slower ball, swings the ball and is not afraid to bowl the bouncer. Encouraging sign for Indian cricket.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 11, 2026
The eyes Chico, they never lie.
The sparkle in his eyes is back, as is the hunger. 5 consecutive 50+ scores. This is the Virat we know. Well played @imVkohli 👏👏😊 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/vmbvzcTVUQ— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 11, 2026
Still ruling. Still rising. Still HIM. 🐐
Virat Kohli kept the blade sharp and the standards higher than ever. 🔝
The knock of a classic chase master, 9️⃣3️⃣ as he chases it today. 🎯#Playfat #OurRCB #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/xHDBHq0B4I
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 11, 2026
Made us proud as usual, Harshit! 👏💙 pic.twitter.com/bAg3tYuZ7b
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) January 11, 2026
Well played, Harshit Rana. This is how you convert trolls into appreciation. Respect. pic.twitter.com/ucDp4SzQYV
— RATNISH (@LoyalSachinFan) January 11, 2026
45th Player-of-the-Match for Virat Kohli in ODIs 🫡🔥#ViratKohli #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/tENqPX0pih
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 11, 2026
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