New Zealand vs India produced a rain-affected opening ODI on Wednesday, November 4, with India defeating the hosts by five wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method at Eden Park in Auckland.
New Zealand were bowled out for 185 in 40.2 overs before rain reduced India’s chase to 32 overs and revised the target to 143.
India reached 143 for five in 22.4 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.
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New Zealand Vs India: India’s bowlers put New Zealand under pressure
India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to field, a decision that quickly paid dividends as New Zealand struggled to build a stable innings.
Arshdeep Singh led the attack with four wickets for 70 runs from 10 overs, while Gurnoor Brar claimed three wickets for 44 runs in 9.2 overs.
Anshul Kamboj added two wickets for 22 runs from 10 overs and was named player of the match by the BCCI match centre.
Tim Seifert top-scored for New Zealand with 38 from 43 deliveries, while Blair Tickner provided late momentum with an aggressive 34 off 23 balls.
Daryl Mitchell made 28, Glenn Phillips scored 30 and Jacob Duffy finished unbeaten on 15, but New Zealand lost wickets regularly after reaching 73 for three.
The hosts were eventually dismissed for 185, with their final wicket falling when Brar removed Tickner in the 41st over.
Virat Kohli anchors India’s shortened chase
India’s reply began poorly when Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck by Kyle Jamieson in the first over.
Gill and Virat Kohli then rebuilt the innings with a partnership that steadied India before the weather interrupted play.
Kohli scored 74 from 51 balls, including 13 fours and one six, while Gill contributed 37 from 56 deliveries.
The pair added 113 runs before Gill was caught by Tom Latham off Nathan Smith.
Kohli followed soon after, caught by Tim Seifert off Jacob Duffy, but his aggressive innings had already placed India in control of the revised chase.
Shreyas Iyer made 15, while KL Rahul and Naman Dhir completed the chase after further wickets fell.
India finished on 143 for five in 22.4 overs, reaching the adjusted target with 56 balls remaining.
Rain changes the match equation
The original contest was scheduled for 50 overs per side, but rain caused a substantial interruption after New Zealand’s innings.
India were ultimately set a revised target of 143 from 32 overs under the DLS method rather than the original target of 186.
The shorter chase increased the required scoring rate, but Kohli’s attacking innings and India’s strong start after the restart left New Zealand with limited room to recover.
The result also continued a difficult recent stretch for New Zealand against India, following India’s 3-2 victory in the preceding T20I series.
What comes next in the series
The second ODI is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, at Wellington Regional Stadium.
The third match will be played in Hamilton on Tuesday, November 10.
New Zealand will need a stronger start with the bat after losing early wickets in Auckland, while India will assess its bowling combination as the tour continues without Prasidh Krishna, who was ruled out of the ODI series with a hamstring injury.
India will also have to manage its squad across the wider tour, with several players scheduled to join India A or prepare for the Test matches later in November.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the first ODI between New Zealand and India?
India defeated New Zealand by five wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method at Eden Park in Auckland.
What was New Zealand’s score against India?
New Zealand were bowled out for 185 in 40.2 overs.
What target did India chase after the rain delay?
India were set a revised DLS target of 143 runs from 32 overs.
Who was India’s top scorer?
Virat Kohli scored 74 runs from 51 balls, including 13 fours and one six.
When is the second ODI between New Zealand and India?
The second ODI is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Wellington Regional Stadium.
Fact-Checked: Temporal facts verified: the first ODI was played on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Eden Park in Auckland; the second ODI is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2026, in Wellington; and the third ODI is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, 2026, in Hamilton. No temporal corrections are required.
Disclaimer: Match conditions and schedules can change because of weather, venue decisions or other official updates.