India vs New Zealand, NZ in IND, 3 ODIs, 2026 Jan 11 Full score card

SIX! DONE AND DUSTED! Kristian Clarke pitches it up, on middle and angling in. KL Rahul gets under it and whips it away using his wrists over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. INDIA WIN BY 4 WICKETS AND TAKE THE LEAD IN THE SERIES 1-0!

FOUR! SCORES ARE LEVEL! Kristian Clarke just misses his length and bowls a low full toss, outside off. KL Rahul steps across, extends his arms and smacks it through covers for another boundary. All smiles in the Indian camp now.

FOUR! Pressure-releasing shot! A slower one. full but down the leg side. KL Rahul gets down on one knee and scoops it nicely over the short fine leg fielder for a boundary. There is a check whether it is a six or a four, but the replay shows that it has bounced just before. 5 needed in 8 now.

Pitched up and around off, Washington Sundar lofts it towards sweeper cover for another run. 9 needed in 9 now.

Slower one, back of a length and on middle, KL Rahul punches it to long on for a run.

Overthrows! The throw was absolutely not needed there. Short of a length and around off, Washington Sundar cuts it towards point. KL Rahul wants the run but is sent back. The fielder takes aim and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Even if he had hit the stumps, Rahul was in. There is no backup and the ball rolls away in the deep, which allows the single. This is ordinary cricket from New Zealand after being so sharp in the field for most of the innings.

Kristian Clarke (9-0-56-1) will bowl the most important over of the match on his ODI debut. The penultimate over coming up.

Pitched up and angling into the pads, Washington Sundar chips it in the air but on the bounce to deep fine leg for one more. 12 needed in 12 now.

Another short delivery, on middle, pace on, KL Rahul pulls it to deep square leg for one.

DROPPED! Another chance goes begging for the Kiwis! Zakary Foulkes hits the length hard, takes pace off once more. Washington Sundar shuffles across to scoop it but does not generate enough power as it flies behind short fine leg. Adithya Ashok, from the inner ring, runs backwards over his right shoulder, gets under it in the outfield, but spills it out. They cross.

Back of a length and on middle, slower as well, KL Rahul swipes it away to deep square leg for anothe run.

Zakary Foulkes sees the batter back away, follows him, and serves this full, on leg. Washington Sundar drives it away towards deep point for a run.

Short of a length and on off, takes pace off, KL Rahul mistimes his pull towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Conference time! Michael Bracewell is circled by several Kiwi players as they have a chat about whom to give this over to. Foulkes has one left. Which means they will need to bowl an over of spin, with only Kristian Clarke left with one over of pace. Okay, Bracewell calls Zakary Foulkes into the attack to bowl out. 9-0-43-0 are his bowling figures so far.

Bangs this into pitch, outside off. KL Rahul drags this and loses his bottom hand off the handle, but still manages to pull it to deep square leg for one and retains the strike. 18 needed in 18 now.

Slower one, on a length and on midlde, Washington Sundar flicks it to deep mid-wicket for another run.

On a length and on leg, KL Rahul clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

Lovely shot! Fuller delivery, on off, Washington Sundar shows the full face of the bat and lifts it over mid off. Daryl Mitchell runs after and dives to push it back inside. However, as soon as Sundar played the shot, he looked in a lot of pain and only managed to get a single by hobbling gingerly to the other end. He was also seen holding his back. Might have just tweaked it a bit.

Will Sundar come out to bat? This is the question now. Is he fit enough to bat? He sure is. Washington Sundar is in at number 8. India need 22 runs off 22 balls.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Kristian Clarke gets his MAIDEN ODI WICKET! He is ecstatic and so are the Kiwis as they see another twist in the tale. Clarke hits the length hard this time, on middle, gets some extra bounce. Harshit Rana is not expecting that but tries to heave it across the line, and only gets a faint outside edge behind, where Mitchell Hay makes no mistake. Rana goes back after playing a handy knock of 29 off 23.

FOUR! Gets it away and this will ease the nerves even more for India! Kristian Clarke bowls a low full toss, on off. Harshit Rana opens up his body and crunches it through the covers for a boundary, beating deep backward point to his right.

Good effort this time in the deep! Flighted, full and on middle, KL Rahul bunts it hard and down the ground wide of long on. Daryl Mitchell runs to his left and dives to push it back inside to save a couple of runs for his team. The third umpire is called in to check for the boundary, but the replay confirms that it is a fair stop.

Low full toss, on off, Harshit Rana drills it down the pitch, where Michael Bracewell gets a hand on it to parry it towards long off for just one.

Sloppy fielding and the pressure is showing on both teams now. This is quick and full, on middle, Harshit Rana swipes it off the inside half of the bat wide of deep square leg. Will Young runs to his left but lets it through. Gets lucky that it deflects off his body and does not go to the boundary. Two taken.

Fires this one, full and outside off, KL Rahul reaches out and drills it to sweeper cover for another run.

Floated, full and on middle, Harshit Rana gets down on one knee and slogs it but does not time it as it goes on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Flighted, full and on middle, KL Rahul flicks it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Michael Bracewell (7-0-48-0) is back on. Can the skipper provide another breakthrough? Let's see.

Washington Sundar was seen padded up in the dressing room a while ago. He didn't come to bat over Rana, so there might have been some reason for that. However, Rana has given a good account of himself with the bat so far.

SIX! BRUTE FORCE! That will ease the nerves massively in that Indian camp. Takes all the pace off from the ball, and lands it somewhere outside off, on a good length. Harshit Rana waits on it, weighs on the back foot and picks the bones out by pulling it over deep mid-wicket for a six. He knew it straightaway after connecting the ball. 34 needed off 30 balls.

Back of a length, outside off, KL Rahul leans back and cuts it to the right of Phillips at point for a single. GP stops it with the dive to that direction.

A slowish delivery, on off, full in length, Rana uses his wrists to chip the ball over the vacant mid on region for a single.

Mighty swing and a miss! Fires one fuller, just outside off. Harshit Rana clears the front leg to send the ball sailing into the Narmada River, but connects with thin air.

Around off, on a length, KL Rahul plays it late and cuts it to deep point for an easy single.

Banged in short, on top of the stumps, Harshit Rana drags it off the back foot to widish long on for a single.

Short and pace off, pulled off the back foot through mid-wicket for a single.

IN THE AIR AND DROPPED! Daryl Mitchell, of all people! We just saw an absolutely brilliant effort in the field the last ball, and it is followed by a schoolboy error. Short of a length outside off, the slower one at 102 kph. Rana backs away and flat-bats it straight down the throat of Mitchell at long on. He gets comfortably underneath it and spills a sitter. Harshit had already started to walk off but gets a slice of luck.

My word! Glenn Phillips is everywhere. Stops yet another boundary. Who says Kiwis cannot fly? That ball had no business getting cut off. Short and drifting down the leg stump, as Rana steps down the track. Harshit swivels and pulls it out to deep backward square leg for a brace, with Phillips sprinting and flinging himself to his right to intercept it. Just two.

Rolls his fingers on the leather, short and on middle, KL Rahul pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Back of a length, on middle and leg, Harshit Rana works it to the leg side, in front of square for a single.

Full and on the pads, KL Rahul flicks it to the mid-wicket region and the call is for two. Rahul turns around for the second, and so does Harshit, but for some reason, Harshit stops midway, which forces Rahul to retreat back and dive before the throw arrives at the bowler's end.

Kyle Jamieson has bowled out with figures of 10-1-41-4. So, who will Michael Bracewell turn to now? It will be Zakary Foulkes.

FOUR! SMASHED! Harshit ends the boundary drought for India. It was an outstanding over from the young Clarke until this delivery. Speared fuller, outside off, Harshit backs away to give himself room and slashes hard at it. Though he gets a thick outside edge, the ball breezes through backward point and short third for a boundary. India need 50 runs off 42 balls now!

Good running! Hurls in another pace-off ball, on the leg stump, Harshit uses soft hands to clip the ball through the mid-wicket gap for a couple of runs.

Four dots in a row! Exceptional bowling from the debutant! Slower deceptive length ball, outside off, Harshit Rana swings with all his might to pull it over the leg side, but the ball stays low and beats the inside edge.

Pressure building! Short, outside off, Harshit Rana knocks off the back foot to cover.

Nagging length, nipping in on the pads. Harshit Rana stands tall and tries to access the square leg region, but plays over it and the ball rams onto his front thigh pad.

Short of a good length, on middle and leg, Harshit hangs back and stabs it to cover.

Kristian Clarke (6-0-32-0) is back on. Can the debutant get his moment here?

Short of a good length, outside off, KL hops on the toes and punches it to extra cover. End of an outstanding spell from Kyle Jamieson as he ends with figures of 10-1-41-4. India need 56 runs from 47 balls.

Harshit Rana has hurt his left shoulder while putting the dive to make his ground. The physio is in to check on him, but he seems fine. Also, positive signs for India, as the visuals show that Washington Sundar is padded up in the dressing room.

A massive mix-up but no harm done! Back of a length, outside off, Harshit Rana hops off and punches it to deep backward point for a single. KL Rahul is glued to the crease after completing the single, but Harshit Rana is already halfway for the double and has to retreat back. He does so with a dive, before the throw comes in at the keeper's end, and Mitch Hay underarms the throw to the bowler's end. Looks like he has jarred his left shoulder on the dive, and needs some medical assistance.

Nagging length, angling on the leg stump line, Harshit Rana punches it to mid on.

BEATEN! Absolute pearler! Nips away from off on a good length, on top of off, another cross-seam delivery. Harshit Rana is way leg side of the ball and hangs his bat away from the body, only to get beaten past the outside edge.

An attempted yorker, on off, Harshit Rana jams the bat down and squeezes it to deep backward point for a couple of runs.

Kyle Jamieson is single-handedly turning this game around. 3 wickets in his last 7 balls and suddenly, India are in a bit of trouble here. No signs of Washington Sundar, as it is Harshit Rana who comes out to the middle now.

OUT! BOWLED! A beauty and Kyle Jamieson has breathed life into this game. 4th wicket for him. A cross-seam delivery, lands on off and nips sharply into the batter from off. Shreyas Iyer plays a loose shot over the line and gets beaten on the inside edge as the ball smashes into the stumps behind. The off pole goes for a walk. This game is wide open now. Shreyas Iyer departs on 49 off 47 and India are 242/5. They were 234/2 at one stage. JAMIESON IS ON A HAT TRICK!

Nips in off the pitch, on a good length, on middle. Shreyas heaves it off the toe end to widish square leg for a single. The equation - India need 59 off 54 balls.

Short of a good length, on top of off, KL Rahul hangs back and punches it through cover and point for a single.

Full, on off, KL Rahul hits off the inner half to mid on.

BEATEN! Angles in and then nips away off the pitch. On a length, around off. KL Rahul plays inside the line to ease it to the off side, and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Full and around off, holds on the surface, KL Rahul tries to check his drive, and mistimes it to cover.

Short and slow, on middle, Iyer pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Two wickets in the same over for Jamieson and New Zealand have made a slight comeback. With 62 needed off 60, KL Rahul is in at number 6. There's no update about whether Sundar is fit enough to bat. So, if New Zealand manage another quick wicket, they might actually have a real sniff at it. POWERPLAY 3 TIME! A maximum of 5 fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle for the rest of the innings. Zakary Foulkes (7-0-34-0) to continue.

OUT! TAKEN! Two wickets in the over for Kyle Jamieson, and is there a twist in the game? He goes much fuller this time, on middle, sticks to the surface a bit. Ravindra Jadeja looks to clip it away but just checks his shot at the last moment. He ends up just chipping it straight to mid on, where Kristian Clarke gets low to his front to take a simple catch. Jadeja is not happy with himself at all, but has to walk back for 4 off 5, and India are 239/4 now, chasing 301 runs.

Short of a length and on middle, Ravindra Jadeja pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a brace.

Back of a length and around off, Ravindra Jadeja heaves it away wide of deep square leg and comes back for the second run. The throw comes in at the batter's end and hits Jadeja on his left rib.

WIDE! Bangs in a bouncer but down the leg side, Ravindra Jadeja leaves it alone. Wided.

Length again and on off, Ravindra Jadeja pushes it to short cover.

On a length and on middle, Ravindra Jadeja clips it to square leg.

It was not to be for Virat. But nonetheless, he gets a huge reception from the Baroda crowd, who admire this knock of his. Ravindra Jadeja has been promoted to number 5.

OUT! TAKEN! Oh, dear! It is absolute pin-drop silence here in Vadodara, and heartbreak for Virat Kohli as he falls just short of his century. Kyle Jamieson lands this on hard length and around off, Virat Kohli charges down the track and tries to loft it down the ground, but ends up hitting it too close to mid off. It flies flat, and Michael Bracewell does well to move to his right to take a sharp catch with the ball almost behind him. Kohli is very disappointed with himself, not only because of not getting to a hundred, but also for not staying there till the end and finishing the job. Virat walks back for a magnificent 93 off 91, and to a big applause from the crowd.

Another slower delivery, full and on off, Virat Kohli pushes it through covers for one more.

Short of a length and outside off, Shreyas Iyer slaps it to sweeper cover for one. He moves to 47 now.

Pitched up, on middle, angling in, Virat Kohli mistimes his drive off the bottom edge down to long on for a run.

Goes a bit fuller and on middle, Shreyas Iyer drills it down to long on for a single.

Back-of-the-hand slower one, on a hard length and on off, Shreyas Iyer punches it to extra cover.

Back of a length and on middle, Shreyas Iyer tries to heave it away but gets it from the toe-end of the bat to mid-wicket.

Much fuller and outside off, Virat Kohli fails to get underneath it and bunts it out to mid off.

Hard length and around middle, Shreyas Iyer heaves it away to deep square leg for one.

Bangs this into the pitch, outside off, takes pace off. Shreyas Iyer slaps it off the toe-end of the bat towards mid off.

Short of a length and on off, Virat Kohli stays back and punches it to sweeper cover for a run. Every run from Kohli is getting cheered now as he is getting closer to the milestone.

Back of a length and around off, Shreyas Iyer steers it through backward point for a single.

Hits the length hard, on middle, Shreyas Iyer stabs it back to the bowler.

A big shout from Zakary Foulkes for the caught behind, but turned down. However, Michael Bracewell takes the review here, but more in desperation. This is a well-directed bumper on middle. Virat Kohli tries to pull it away, but it looks like he misses it by some distance, before Mitchell Hay grabs it behind the stumps. Well, the UltraEdge and replay confirm that there is no bat involved. The Kiwis lose a review.

Another short delivery, outside off, Shreyas Iyer drags it from there and shovels it. He does not get the timing as his bat turns in his hands and the deep mid-wicket fielder runs to his left to cut it out. Two taken.

Pitched up and on off, Shreyas Iyer drives it to mid off.

FOUR! Superbly done! Zakary Foulkes bowls a slower bouncer, on off, with third man up in the circle. Shreyas Iyer just bends his back to sway away and ramps it over short third for a boundary.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, takes pace off now, Virat Kohli heaves it through mid-wicket for a run. Virat moves into the 90s now.

Short of a length and on middle, Shreyas Iyer pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

DRINKS! India need below run-a-ball now as this partnership is worth 63 runs. Kohli is on course for another century, while Shreyas is cruising for a half century of his own. The major difference between the two sides has been the way they have batted in this middle phase. New Zealand might feel that they lost a bit too many wickets in this period. India, so far, have lost just one wicket, that of Gill, in this 21-40 over stretch. With 81 runs required off 84 balls, we will see a change in bowling. Zakary Foulkes (5-0-23-0) is back on, replacing Michael Bracewell.

Length again, on middle, Shreyas Iyer punches it to long on for one more.

Hard length and angling into leg, Virat Kohli tucks it thorugh mid-wicket for one.

Pitched up and on middle, angling in, Shreyas Iyer works it through square leg for one.

Short of a length and on lg, Virat Kohli drags it towards long on for another run.

On a length and around leg, Shreyas Iyer flicks it to deep square leg for a run.

Fuller one and angling into leg, Virat Kohli clips it through square leg for a single.

WIDE! Good length but way down the leg side, Virat Kohli leaves it alone. Mitchell Hay, the keeper does well to move to his left to stop it.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Shreyas Iyer turns it to the leg side.

Flighted, full and on middle, Virat Kohli comes down the track and thumps it towards the bowler. Michael Bracewell just manages to get a hand on it to take the sting out of it. Just one.

Quicker, shortish and on middle, forces it down to long on for anothe run.

Shorter in length and on leg, Virat Kohli clips it through square leg for a run.

SIX! Going, going, gone! Tossed up, full and on middle and off. Virat Kohli dances down the track to get to the pitch of it and tonks it over the long on fence for a biggie. Pleasing to the eye.

Floated, short and on middle, Shreyas Iyer punches it down to long on for a single.

Hard length and on off, Virat Kohli uses his feet but mistimes his flick off the inner half of the bat to shot mid-wicket.

FOUR! 200 UP FOR INDIA! Kristian Clarke goes full but angling into the pads. Virat Kohli backs away and brings his wrists into play, whips it away to the deep backward square leg fence for a boundary.

Follows the batter, lands this on a hard length and on leg, Virat Kohli keeps it out towads short mid-wicket.

Pitched up and on middle, Shreyas Iyer drives it down to long on for another run.

Good length and on off, Virat Kohli punches it wide of mid off for a run.

Fuller and on middle, Shreyas Iyer drills it towards long on for a single.

Looped up, full and on middle, Shreyas Iyer eases it to long on for one more. India need 105 runs in 102 balls now.

Shorter in length once more and around off, Virat Kohli punches it to sweeper cover for one.

Flatter, short and on middle, Virat Kohli stabs it back to the bowler.

Tip and run! Tossed up, full and on off, Shreyas Iyer taps it in front of point for a quick one.

Flighted, full and on off, Virat Kohli goes down and swipes it wide of deep mid-wicket for a run.

Floated, short and on middle, Shreyas Iyer tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

On a length and on off, Virat Kohli comes forward and pats it to short cover. Just 4 runs off the over!

Hard length and on middle, Shreyas Iyer punches it down to long on for a run.

Back of a length and on middle, angling in, Shreyas Iyer lifts his front leg up and heaves it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Slower again, on a length and on off, Shreyas Iyer pats it down towards point.

A slower one, full and on off, Shreyas Iyer knocks it towards mid off.

Fuller and around off, Virat Kohli uses his feet and drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

Kristian Clarke (4-0-21-0) returns for his second spell. He replaces Kyle Jamieson.

FOUR MORE! 15 runs off the over! Short and outside off again. Shreyas Iyer gets the chance to free his arms and crunches it through backward point now for another boundary.

FOUR! Gets it away! Flatter, short and just outside off. Shreyas Iyer waits for it, almost plays it behind him and late-cuts it past short third for a boundary.

Slower through the air, full and on middle, Shreyas Iyer knocks it back to the bowler.

SIX! Up, up and away! Flighted delivery, full and on off. Shreyas Iyer gets his front leg out of the way and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for an 87-meter biggie.

A googly, full and on middle, turns in, Virat Kohli uses his feet and whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Virat Kohli defends it on the front foot.

A mini drinks break for the two batters. New Zealand scored 49/3 in this 21-30 over phase, whereas India added 50/1 in the same period. The tourists need a couple of quick wickets right now, as the game is gradually slipping away from their reach.

Length-delivery, outside off, punched off the back foot to point.

Spears it full and straight on middle, Shreyas knocks it to mid on.

Slower short ball, on top of off, Virat Kohli stands tall and mistimes it off the toe end, but clears mid-wicket for a single.

Cuts back in from the pitch, on a good length, Shreyas Iyer gets rushed on the back foot and bunts it off the inner half to the right of mid-wicket. They squirrel across for a quick single.

On a back of a length, around off, Kohli charges down the track and drives it through cover and point for a single.

IN THE AIR... Lands well short! Short on the stumps, Shreyas Iyer checks his pull shot over square leg for a single.

Too full, on the stumps, driven along the ground to the right of long off for a single.

FOUR! Off the edge! Leg break now, full and turning away from off. Shreyas Iyer pushes at it with hard hands to go in front of square, but outside edges it to the deep third fence for a boundary.

Wide outside off, a googly on a fullish length, Shreyas shuffles a bit and mistimes his heave to short mid-wicket.

A slider on the leg stump, Kohli clips this full delivery to deep square leg for a single.

Full and just outside off, at 88.7 kph. Virat leans forward and eases it to cover.

A leg break, full and on middle. Iyer drives it to long off for a single.

On a back of a length, in the channel of off. Virat Kohli plays it very late off the back foot and chops it near the sticks.

Length, outside off, punched away to extra cover.

Short and angling in from off. Shreyas Iyer stands tall and tucks it between mid-wicket and mid on for a quick single.

Full and jagging back in, Shreyas Iyer presses ahead and knocks it to the leg side in front of square.

A length ball, on middle, Shreyas Iyer rides the bounce and defends.

Nip-backer that jumps off the pitch, on off. Shreyas Iyer hops on and blocks it.

Very full, on off, Virat Kohli crouches low and spanks it straight down the ground, but Adithya's half stop on the follow-through sucks out the momentum from the ball and it is cut off by Daryl Mitchell in the deep, to his left from long on. He slides and pops it to the incoming long off fielder, who gets rid of the ball towards the bowler. Two taken.

Short and on middle, at 86.7 kph, Virat Kohli pushes back and bunts it down the pitch.

Off the mark right away! Full and around off, Shreyas drills it away to long off for a single.

Shreyas Iyer comes out to the middle now.

OUT! TAKEN! Adithya Ashok gets a massive wicket. This was much-needed for the Kiwis as he breaks the 118-run partnership. A googly, wide on off, on a fullish length. Shubman Gill tries to hit it through the mid off and cover gap, but fails to get to the pitch of the ball and ends up chipping it off the inner half towards mid off. Glenn Phillips takes a dolly at the mentioned position. Shubman Gill walks back for 56 (71) and India are 157/2, needing 144 runs.

Full and flat on the stumps, Kohli looks to drive it straight, but the ball spins in to take the inner half and rolls wide of mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! A shot of real authority! Too short on middle, Virat Kohli rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a cracking boundary.

Looks like Shubman Gill is struggling with some cramps. The physio is in, and Gill is lying on his belly while having a banana and getting a massage on his left back thigh. A few stretches as well, and he is up now, which is a good sign for India. We are good to go again.

Very full, on middle, Kohli jabs it down to long on for a single.

Serves it full and flat, on off, Kohli carves it away but cannot get it past extra cover.

Tossed up on the leg stump on a fuller length, Gill flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! After 52 balls, India manage to get one away to the ropes. Dropped full and on the stumps, Gill shimmies down the ground and lofts it over the bowler, beating long on to his left for a boundary. 150 UP FOR INDIA!

Quicker through the air, touch full and spinning down leg. Shubman Gill shuffles across and tries to paddle, but misses. It is not given a Wide as the ball has passed inside the red guideline.

Flighted up on leg, Kohli clips the full ball to deep square leg for a single.

Pushed fuller, on off, Shubman Gill leans on and blocks.

FIFTY FOR SHUBMAN GILL! He has largely played this innings in the shadow of Kohli, but this was an important one for the Indian captain, given how the last few digs with the bat have panned out for him. This is his 16th ODI half century. Short and outside off, dragged across with a pull shot between deep mid-wicket and long on for a couple of runs.

On off, on a length, Virat plays it very late and close to his body before chopping it away to deep third for a single.

Touch short, on off, Gill taps it gently to cover-point for a single.

Short, outside off, Virat Kohli uses his wrists to cut it away to deep cover for a single.

Short and outside off, Virat hangs back and punches it to extra cover. 45 balls since the last boundary, mentions Harsha Bhogle on air.

Outside off and full, Virat Kohli drills it to long on and strolls for a single.

Full and straight on leg, Shubman Gill drives it to long on for a single. 100-RUN STAND IS UP BETWEEN GILL AND KOHLI!

Full, on leg, clipped behind to widish square leg for a single.

Just past the stumps! Pitched on a length, outside leg. Virat Kohli plants his knee down to sweep, but misses and the ball grazes his elbow but rolls just wide of the leg stump.

Singles keep coming for India. Slower through the air, on the stumps at 89.2 kph, Shubman Gill plays it late and pulls it behind square on the leg side for a single.

Short on middle, Virat goes back and wrists it to deep square leg for one more.

Turns in on the pads, on a short length, Virat Kohli hangs deep inside the crease and tickles it away to deep backward square leg for a single.

Spins in from off, on a length, Shubman Gill walks into the shot and eases it down to long on for a single.

Drags the length back, outside off, Virat Kohli makes room and cuts it to deep point for one more.

Around off, an off break from Michael, full in length, Virat advances down the track and forces it to mid off.

Way too full, on the stumps, Shubman Gill works it to the left of long off for a single.

Full, on middle, spinning in, clipped to mid-wicket.

Quick at 91.5 kph, this is full on middle, Gill runs it down to long on for a single.

On the leg stump, full in length, Gill flicks it to short fine leg.

Full again, on the stumps, clipped off the front foot to short mid-wicket.

FIFTY FOR VIRAT KOHLI! Off just 44 balls. Yet another in a run chase. He has been in command from the first ball. This is his 77th ODI half century. Full and on middle and leg, Virat charges down the track and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single to get to his milestone. Vadodara rises up and admires this extremely fluent knock of his. He started off aggressively, allowed Gill to settle in nicely and both are now just making merry.

Flattens the trajectory, down leg, Shubman Gill flicks off the pads to deep square leg for a single.

From around the stump. Short, on middle, Virat nudges it off the back foot through square leg for a single.

Touch short, outside off, Virat Kohli backs away and steers it through cover-point for an easy single.

Floated fuller, on off, Shubman Gill drills it down to long on for a single.

Short, outside off, Virat Kohli hangs back and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Off break, short and around off, Gill stands tall and punches it away to long on for a single.

Full and flat, on middle, Virat Kohli shimmies down the track and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Spins in from middle, on a length, turned off the back foot to short fine leg.

India are ahead in the game at the moment. After 20 overs, New Zealand were 104/0. India are 122/1. New Zealand scored 55/0 in that stretch of 11-20 overs, whereas India managed to add 74 in the same phase without losing any wickets.

Gives this one some more air, full and on off, Virat Kohli drills it down to long on for one more.

Flatter, full and on leg, Shubman Gill works it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Drags his length back, on middle, Virat Kohli moves back and clips it through square leg. He runs the first one hard but has to settle for one only.

Flighted, full and on off, Shubman Gill eases it to long on for a run.

Slightly shorter, on middle, Shubman Gill pats it towards short mid-wicket.

Floated, full and on middle, Virat Kohli flicks it past mid-wicket for a single.

So spin in tandem. Glenn Phillips is into the attack, replacing Kristian Clarke.

Tossed up, full and on off, Shubman Gill steps across to clip it across the line but gets leading edge along the ground towards the bowler.

Slows it up, full and on off, Virat Kohli gets forward and across to work it away towards square leg for one.

Fires one full and on middle, Shubman Gill drills it to long on for another run.

Flatter, full and on off, Shubman Gill strides out and knocks it to mid off.

Floated, full and on middle, turns in, Virat Kohli tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.

Flighted, full and on middle, Shubman Gill flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! The momentum is completely in the clutches of the hosts. 37/0 in the last 5 overs for India. This partnership of 74 runs between Gill and Kohli is starting to frustrate Bracewell. New Zealand are in a desperate search for a wicket or two here to peg India on the back foot. But with the dew forming, the bowlers are finding it a bit tricky to land the ball in the right areas. Can the Kiwis conjure up a moment of brilliance? If not soon enough, this game will slip away in a canter with still a lot of batting experience to come next. Michael Bracewell (2-0-20-0) to continue after the break.

Pitched up but on the pads, Virat Kohli tucks it away with soft hands wide of deep square leg and comes back for the second run quite comfortably.

Hits the length hard, on middle, Shubman Gill heaves it away to deep mid-wicket for another run. Nelson on the board now!

On a length and on middle, Shubman Gill gets behind the line of it and pushes it back to the bowler.

Good-length delivery, on middle, Shubman Gill stays back and keeps it out to the leg side.

Full again and on middle, Virat Kohli charges down the track but ends up dragging it off the inner half of the bat towards long on for a run.

Fuller delivery on off, Shubman Gill plays away from his body and drives it on the up to sweeper cover for a single.

Flighted, full and around off, Shubman Gill drives it through covers for one more.

Slower through the air, full and on midlde, Shubman Gill strides out and turns it to the right of the bowler.

SIX! That is a top shot! Floated, full and on middle, turns in a bit. Shubman Gill goes down on one knee and nails the slog sweep, as it goes all the way over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. The third umpire is called in to check whether the ball has sailed all the way and the replay confirms that it has. Gill is starting to flourish now.

Tossed up, full and on off, Shubman Gill taps it out to short cover.

Shortish again and around off, Virat Kohli steers it towards point for a single.

WIDE! Flatter, short and down the leg side, Virat Kohli lets it go. It goes very close to the new guideline, but wide given. Bracewell looks frustrated by that decision and has a chat with the umpire, KN Ananthapadmanabhan, but nothing doing. That indeed looked a bit touch-and-go in real time. 100 UP FOR INDIA!

Floated, full and on middle, Virat Kohli turns it to the leg side.

Slower delivery, full and on middle, Virat Kohli uses his feet and eases it to long on for one more.

Back of a length and around middle, Shubman Gill plays his signature short-arm jab tpwards deep square leg for just one.

FOUR! It does not get much better than that! Kristian Clarke continues with the fuller length, on off. Shubman Gill presents the full face of the bat and plays a textbook straight drive back past the bowler for a boundary.

Touch fuller and on middle, Virat Kohli works it off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket for a single.

Lands this on a good length and angling into leg, Virat Kohli uses his feet again but glances it to short fine leg, where the fielder dives to his right to stop it.

Fuller and on middle, angling in a bit, Virat Kohli comes forward to flick it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball goes nowhere.

Quicker delivery, full and on middle, Shubman Gill tucks it to mid-wicket. Not the greatest of first overs from Michael Bracewell!

Much better delivery from Michael Bracewell! He slows it up, full and on off, holds its line. Virat Kohli tries to play it with a straight bat but gets an outside edge past short third. The fielder chases after it and slides to make the stop. Three taken.

Short again and around leg, Shubman Gill flicks it off the back foot through square leg for one more. This brings up the 50-run partnership between Gill and Kohli.

A bit short and on middle and leg, Virat Kohli nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

Michael Bracewell is struggling with his lines here! He pushes this through quicker, full but angling into the leg side one more. Virat Kohli tickles it away wide of deep fine leg for a couple of easy runs.

Floated, full and on leg, Shubman Gill clips it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

TWO WIDES! Fires one full but down the leg stump again. Virat Kohli lets it go, and the keeper, Mitchell Hay, only manages to parry it towards short fine. A wide called a bye taken as well.

WIDE! Flatter, full but down the leg side, Virat Kohli leaves it alone. Wided.

Michael Bracewell, the Kiwi skipper, is into the attack now. He replaces Adithya Ashok.

FOUR LEG BYES! The runs are flowing now! Kristian Clarke errs in line and bowls this full, but down the leg side. Shubman Gill fails to glance it away but it goes off his pads and rolls to the vacant fine leg fence for a boundary.

A slower one now, lands this on a good length and on middle, Shubman Gill clips it to mid-wicket.

Pitches it up, on middle, angling in, Shubman Gill drills it past the bowler towards mid on but denies the run.

On a length and around off, Shubman Gill gets forward and pushes it to short cover.

Full again and on middle, Virat Kohli knocks it towards long on for a single.

Fuller and on off, Virat Kohli drives it away to short cover. He is timing the ball beautifully here.

Ian Smith with the gem of words on air. He says Virat Kohli is hitting the ball like he hates it.

Quicker one, full and onof, Virat Kohli forces it to long off for one more.

FOUR! Powered away! Virat Kohli moves to 26 off just 19 balls. Flatter delivery, full and around off. Kohli extends his arms to get under it and thumps it past the bowler and to the long off fence for another boundary. With that, Virat also surpasses 28,000 INTERNATIONAL RUNS!

Slows it up, full and on off, Virat Kohli pushes it to short cover this time.

FOUR! Sublime timing from Virat Kohli! Flighted, full and on off. Kohli leans on to his drive and absolutely crunches it past Glenn Phillips at short cover and the ball blazes through the outfield for a boundary. He is in some mood here.

Floated, full and around off, Shubman Gill drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

SIX! BANG! Shubman Gill targets the spinner now. Tossed up, full and on middle, Gill clears his front leg away and dispatches it with ease over the long on fence for a biggie.

Pitched up and on off, Virat Kohli takes a couple of steps out and drives it to short cover.

FOUR! Oh, almost dragged on! Kristian Clarke goes fuller this time and just on off, shapes it in a touch. Virat Kohli comes forward again to drive it away but gets an inside edge that just goes past the leg stump and races to the fine leg fence for another boundary.

FOUR! Nice use of the feet! Kristian Clarke lands this on a good length and around off. Virat Kohli charges down the track, does not get to the pitch of it, but still goes through the lofted shot. It goes off the toe-end over the mid on fielder for a boundary. Kohli is not that happy with that shot.

Pitched up and on middle, angling in, Virat Kohli tucks it away to short mid-wicket. Three dots in a row now.

Fuller delivery and on off, Virat Kohli drives it well but straight to mid off.

Kristian Clarke starts with one serving right in the blockhole, on middle, Virat Kohli gets his bat down and jams it out to mid on.

A bit quicker, full and on off, Virat Kohli eases it to long off for one more. Just 4 runs off Ashok's first over.

Slows it up, full and around off, Virat Kohli pushes it wide of short cover, where the fielder dives to his left to stop it now. The Kiwis are putting their bodies on the line.

Excellent effort in the deep, yet again! Flatter delivery, full and on off, Shubman Gill plays an exquisite cover drive through covers. It races away, but Kristian Clarke, in the deep, runs to his right and dives to push it back inside. Saves three runs for his team.

Flighted, full and around off, Virat Kohli drills it firmly, it pings off the and races to sweeper cover for a run. 50 UP FOR INDIA!

Floated, full and on off, Shubman Gill strides out and drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Shubman Gill prods forward and blocks it back to the bowler.

Powerplay 2! Now, four fielders are allowed outside the circle till the 40th over. At the same stage, New Zealand were 49/0, so not much difference in runs, but India have lost the big wicket of Rohit Sharma. However, Virat Kohli is looking in good touch, already scoring a few fine boundaries. Also, the Vellore boy is here. Adithya Ashok to bowl now. He replaces Kyle Jamieson.

Short of a good length, outside off, Virat Kohli punches it off the back foot to extra cover, but cannot get it past the fielder. One can listen to his frustrated grunt. India end their Powerplay at 48/1.

Stump-to-stump, on a length, Kohli defends it off the front foot.

FOUR! Kohli is up and running! Zakary bangs it short, a rib-tickler that nips into the batter. Kohli gets on the back foot quickly and uses the pace to pull it wide of short fine leg for a boundary.

Just erect a wall there, because the ball is not going anywhere from GP's reach! Glenn Phillips has saved at least a couple of boundaries with his wingspan. Back of a length, outside off, Gill slashes it to get it past the wall in the form of Phillips, who flies to his left from backward point and cuts it off.

FOUR! And he's away! A gorgeous-looking stroke down the ground. Kohli presses forward on this full ball in front of the stumps, extends his elbow with a steady head and drills it down the ground for a boundary.

Fullish, outside off, Shubman Gill drives it through covers for a single.

A yard behind fuller length, outside off, Virat Kohli plays off the back foot and watchfully bunts it down the pitch.

Back of a length, around off, Kohli lets the ball arrive and works it to point.

Silence in Vadodara as Rohit Sharma goes back. However, it soon turns into a huge roar from the crowd as Virat Kohli walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! MISTIMED IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! The BCA stadium is stunned in silence. The boundaries had dried up since the last couple of overs and Rohit was itching to get one away. Jamieson pushes one into the batter, seeing Rohit shuffling outside leg to give himself some room. He tries to launch it over mid off, but mistimes it badly off the toe end as the bat twists at the point of contact. The ball flies to the left of mid off, where Michael Bracewell runs to that direction, follows the trajectory nicely and settles under it to take a safe catch. Rohit Sharma walks back on 26 (29) and India are 39/1, chasing 301.

Full, just outside off, driven away to the cover region.

Jags back in on a length, on middle. Rohit Sharma walks in front and bunts it to the point region.

WIDE! Miles outisde off and short, it exceeds the tramline and Rohit is not interested.

WIDE! Banged in halfway into the pitch, on top of off. Rohit Sharma tries to pull, but it is high enough to beat the bat and fly over his head. Wide called. Jamieson is not happy with the verdict.

Fullish delivery on off, Shubman Gill pushes it to the widish mid off region for a single.

On a length, on off, Shubman Gill stands tall and punches it to the left of mid off for a single. The fielder picks up and has a shy at the bowling end, but misses.

Nice and full, around off, Gill prods forward and defends.

DROPPED! It will go down as a missed chance, although truth be told, anyone other than Phillips wouldn’t even have got close enough to lay a hand on it. Back of a length outside off at 126.9 kph. Gill stays back and throws his hands at it, slashing hard to the left of backward point. GP springs across like a kangaroo and gets his left hand to it, but the ball doesn't stick as he tumbles to the turf. You can't say that it was his non-dominant side as he has pulled off such stunners diving to his left as well. Just insane level of acrobatics.

Nips in on top of middle, on a length, Shubman Gill gets right behind the line and blocks it to the off side.

Pitched up, on off, eased back to the bowler with soft hands.

Whisker! A wobble-seam delivery, shaping away a shy bit from off. Shubman Gill tries to drive it down the ground, but the ball flirts past the outside edge on its way to the keeper. The Indian captain hasn't quite looked comfortable against Foulkes.

Nice and full now, on off, Rohit presses on the front foot and blocks it solidly.

FOUR! Nicely placed! Hard length, outside off, Rohit Sharma hops up and punches it right between the narrow backward point and cover gap. And even the diving Glenn Phillips cannot stop it to his right, as the ball races away to the fence.

Around off, full, Rohit leans on and eases it to point.

SIX! MUSCLED! Short and on off, Rohit Sharma puts on his dancing shoes and heaves it powerfully over long on for a huge six. His second biggie of the evening and the former Indian captain is up and running, on 22 off 23.

Outside off, on a good length, Gill plays it late and runs it behind to deep third for a single.

Brilliant effort in the field. It's Phillips again who dives like a panther! Back of a length, outside off, Rohit punches it to pierce the cover and point gap, but Glenn Phillips flings himself to his right and half stops it. A single taken.

Hard length, outside off, Rohit Sharma waits back and guides it past the left of backward point for a single.

Back of a length, rearing up outside off, Rohit Sharma leans back and punches it to cover.

Good comeback by Foulkes! On a fuller length, on off, Rohit Sharma leans on it and blocks it off.

SIX! There comes the signature pull from Rohit! Hard length, on top of off and middle. Rohit Sharma finds the ball in his wheelhouse. He presses back, swivels, and nails the pull shot behind deep square leg for half a dozen.

Just outside off, on a length, Shubman Gill hangs deep inside the crease and stabs it through deep third for a single.

Full and outside off, Shubman Gill presses forward and drives it straight to short extra cover.

BEATEN! Outside off, on a hard length, nibbling away. Rohit Sharma plays away from his body, trying to punch it through cover, but misses as he plays the initial line. The ball zips past his outside edge.

Overpitched around off, Rohit Sharma drills it back to the bowler off the front foot.

Short of a good length, outside off, Shubman Gill knocks on its head and cuts it to the left of the diving point fielder for a single.

FOUR! Handsomely driven! Slightly overpitched with a bit of width on offer. Shubman Gill is all over and cracks the cover drive to precision through the gap for a boundary. That will make him feel a lot better.

Nagging length, outside off, tapped off the back foot to point.

A ZIPPER! On a good length, on top of middle. Shubman Gill tries to defend off the back foot but the ball lands on the crack and nips away from the crack and beats Gill's outside edge.

Good fielding! Any guesses? It's Glenn Phillips. Swings away, wide outside off, on a length, Rohit cracks the square cut to pierce the point region, but GP dives and cuts it off to his right.

Hard length, on off, Rohit Sharma hangs back and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Curves away with some bounce on middle, Rohit Sharma walks forward and tries to block in front, but gets a leading edge as the ball rolls to backward point.

Nagging length, outside off. Rohit knocks it on the rise to mid off.

Outside off, on a length, left alone.

FOUR! Misfield and it races away! Swings away from middle, on a fullish length, Rohit Sharma chips it over the bowler's head. Kristian Clarke from mid off sprints after it tries to flick the ball with a slide. Fails on the first attempt, tries once again, but fails to get his fingers on the ball and it kisses the fence.

Hard length, on top of middle. Shubman Gill rides the bounce and tucks it across to the square leg region. MAIDEN OVER FROM JAMIESON!

Tight line and lengths from Jamieson so far! Back of a length, angling on the pads, Gill nudges it down to mid on.

Four dots in a row! Cuts his fingers across the leather and hits the deck hard, on middle. The ball nips away a bit and Gill stands tall to pat the ball into the cover region.

This one slants back in from a length, Gill pushes in front and blocks it to the left of the bowler.

Slight away shape from off, on a fuller length, Gill tries to lace that through cover, but finds the fielder who dives to his left.

Angled in and around the leg stump, Shubman Gill gets across and flicks it to mid-wicket.

Loose from Rohit! He chases the wide delivery by not properly getting to the pitch of the ball and tries to drive it away, but plays inside the line and gets beaten on the outside edge. Smart bowling by Zakary. Just a single off his first over.

Full and on off, angling in. Rohit Sharma presses forward and stabs it back to the bowler.

Touch full, outside off, Sharma rocks back and bunts it down the pitch.

The Indian skipper is off the mark! Around off, on a length, shaping in a touch. Shubman Gill waits on it and dabs it through the gully region for a single.

Inswinger that starts from off and angles sharply to middle. Shubman Gill walks forward to negate the swing, brings his bat in front of the pads and eases it to cover-point.

Nagging length, swinging into the batter a bit, Shubman Gill plays off the back foot and tucks it to the leg side in front of square.

Zakary Foulkes to bowl from the other end? BINGO. Yes, he will.

FOUR! CRUNCHED! Offers width on a good length, does Kyle. Rohit Sharma frees his arms and square cuts it on the rise, beating backward point to his right for a boundary. 5 off the opening over.

Banged into the surface, around off at 134.1 kph. Rohit Sharma climbs on it and uses his wrists to steer it to short mid-wicket.

Back of a length, angling in and around middle, Rohit rocks back and nudges it to mid on using soft hands.

Slams the deck hard, on top of off, nipping away. Rohit rides the bounce and crisply knocks on the bounce it to short cover.

WIDE! A bit too straight, down leg, on a hard length. Rohit misses his glance to the leg side. Wide called.

BEATEN! Absolute beauty from Jamieson! Lovely shape away from the batter, outside off, on a good length. Rohit Sharma plays from the crease and pokes loosely away from the body, and gets beaten on the outside edge by a kitten-whisker.

Swing straightaway! Shapes away on a fuller length, around off, Rohit Sharma presses forward and watchfully blocks it under his eyes.

Prasidh angles it into the batter on a good length, Kristian Clarke makes room and heaves it into the deep square leg and deep fine leg gap. Ravindra Jadeja gets across to his left and cuts it off, but the batters run for a couple. The throw from Jadeja is a bit wide of the keeper, and Jamieson looks to take the third, but Kristian has run far at the other end, so, they settle with a couple only. 14 runs off the final over. NEW ZEALAND FINISH EXACTLY AT 300/8!

Hard length and outside off. Jamieson heaves it to widish mid on for a single.

FOUR! Important runs these for New Zealand! Attempts for a yorker, but misses by a margin, on the leg stump line and it tails in a bit. Kyle Jamieson clears the front leg and drills it to the right of mid on and finds the fence.

Up in the air... lands safely! And an outstanding run between the wickets. Slower length ball, outside off. Kristian Clarke mistimes his slash over cover and point and lands in the vacant real estate in the deep point region. Mohammed Siraj is a bit slow to get to the ball from the inner ring and that allows the batters an extra room to pinch in the third run.

EDGED, FOUR! New Zealand will take it no matter how the runs come! An attempted yorker, on off, Kristian Clarke shapes up to drill that through cover, but gets a fat outside edge. There's no one in the deep third region and the ball races away to the fence.

Skids through from a length, nipping back in and over middle, Kristian Clarke leans back to play the ramp shot, but the ball fizzes over his angled bat.

Last over coming up now. Can New Zealand somehow manage to get to 300?

Slower length ball that jags back in from middle. Kyle Jamieson gets on the back foot and mistimes his heave off the inner half. The ball rolls to the left of deep fine leg and they hustle back for the second run.

Pinpoint yorker, on middle, Kristian Clarke backs away to give himself room and squeezes it through point for a single.

Pace off, short and wide on off, Kyle Jamieson swings across to pull, but gets an inside edge and the ball bounces past the stumps to the left of the keeper for a single.

Executes another yorker, in front of the sticks. Kyle Jamieson gets a bit of an underedge while trying to carve it out and the ball rolls back to Harshit.

A yorker, on middle, Kyle drills it back to the bowler. Harshit dives on his follow-through to his right and half-stops it with his right hand.

Full and wide outside off, Kristian Clarke shuffles across to scoop, but gets an inside edge and the ball rolls through square leg for a single.

Pace on, full and around off, Kyle Jamieson forces the drive to extra cover.

A yorker that tails in on middle, Kyle Jamieson jams the bat down and digs it out straight.

Kyle Jamieson comes out to the middle now.

OUT! LBW! Krishna with a massive wicket in the backend. This is full and straight, in line of the stumps, slightly nipping back into the batter. Daryl Mitchell tries to smoke it over long on by clearing his front leg, but swings over the line and wears it on the back pad. A big appeal for LBW, and up goes the finger. Daryl Mitchell goes upstairs straightaway and takes a review. There is a daylight gap between bat and the ball and Ball Tracking shows three reds with the ball projected to crash in the leg stump. A fine, fine knock from Daryl Mitchell. Wickets kept falling around him, but he held his ground. 84 off 71 from him. New Zealand are 281/8.

FOUR MORE! Off the top edge! At 127.8 kph, this is short and over the shoulders, Daryl Mitchell tries to pull, tries to play it a bit fine, but gets it off the top edge and the ball races away to the deep fine leg fence for a boundary.

SIX! KABOOM! The floodgates are opened. Slower one by the looks of it, short and just outside off. Daryl Mitchell sits back and opens the front leg to create room before nailing the pull shot over deep mid-wicket for a cracking six.

FOUR! Clever, very clever! Pace from 'Skiddy', full at 136.6 kph, on the stumps. Daryl Mitchell shuffles a long way across off and just scoops it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Prasidh Krishna (7-0-36-1) comes back into the attack now.

FOUR! Excellent placement! Harshit is fuming at the fielder for not reacting quickly to that shot. Slower ball, wide outside off, on a good length. Kristian Clarke waits for it and uses his wrists to steer it to the right of short third. It has enough wheels on it to beat the deep point fielder to his left to hug the fence.

Deceptive slower ball, short and outside off, Clarke tries to drag it across with a pull shot, but he swings the bat in January and the ball arrives in December to beat his bat.

Shoots in a sharp bumper, angled on the bodyline, Kristian Clarke ducks underneath it as the ball fizzes through to the keeper. First bounce signalled by the umpire.

Around the pads, on a fuller length, Daryl Mitchell steers it to deep square leg for a single.

Full and around off, Kristian Clarke carves it off the middle to the left of mid off, where Ravindra Jadeja dives to his left and stops it. Just a single. But that was travelling.

At just 116.3 kph, this is bashed on a length, outside off, Daryl Mitchell slashes it away to deep point for a single.

Rolls his fingers on the rock, and bowls it short on middle. Daryl Mitchell climbs on it, uses all his might to pull, but mistimes it over square leg. Nitish Kumar Reddy from deep fine leg rushes to his left and stops it on a couple of bounces. Just a single.

Short again, at shoulder height, on leg, Kristian Clarke hangs back and pulls it a bit squarer to deep fine leg for a single.

At 127.3 kph, this is short and outside off, Daryl Mitchell uppercuts it over backward point for a single.

SIX! That has travelled a mile! A juicy half volley from Siraj, on middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell gets the front leg out of his way and launches it cleanly over long on for a massive six.

Slower short ball, over off, Daryl Mitchell is deceived by the lack of pace and gets beaten on the pull shot. The ball dips on Rahul behind the stumps, but he gathers it low by diving to his left.

Short and slow, on top of middle, glanced off the back foot to long leg for a single.

Low full toss around off, Daryl Mitchell drives it wide of sweeper cover for a couple of runs. 250 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND!

BUMP BALL! Harshit Rana bowls this in the blockhole, on off, Daryl Mitchell tries to dig it out but gets an inside edge onto his pads. It lobs up towards the bowler, where Harshit Rana grabs it and appeals for it. It has been sent upstairs and the replay shows that the ball bounced before hitting the pads.

An umpire's review for a catch. They just want to have a look at whether the ball bumped on the ground, before lobbing off Daryl's boot towards Rana. The replay clearly shows that the ball bumped before. NOT OUT.

WIDE! Slower bouncer again and around off, just a bit too high. Daryl Mitchell shuffles across to scoop it away but misses. Called a wide but Rana is not happy with that decision.

Back of a length and around leg, Kristian Clarke hooks it towards deep backward square leg for a run.

On a length and on off, Kristian Clarke blocks it out.

FOUR! Fine shot! Fuller delivery and on off, Kristian Clarke shows the full face of the bat and drives it with excellent timing wide of mid off. Ravindra Jadeja is a bit late to move to his left as he does not expect it to be timed that well. He dives over to let it through for a boundary. You do not expect that from Jaddu.

Low full toss, on middle, Daryl Mitchell tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

A good bouncer now, on middle, Kristian Clarke ducks under it. Just 4 runs and a wicket off the over then.

Back of a length and on middle, Daryl Mitchell heaves it through square leg for one.

Fuller and on middle, Kristian Clarke flicks it away to deep square leg to get his MAIDEN ODI RUN.

Another one bites the dust. The debutant, Kristian Clarke, walks in at number 9.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Wickets continue to tumble for New Zealand as Mohammed Siraj gets his second now. Good-length delivery, on off, nips back in a bit. Zakary Foulkes stays back and tries to guide it very late, but this is too close to his body. He ends up getting an inside edge and the ball rattles the stumps behind. New Zealand are 239/7, and are losing their way a little here as they were 198/4 at one stage.

Short of a length and on middle, takes pace off, Daryl Mitchell pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

On a length and around off, Zakary Foulkes guides it to third man for a single.

And again, just when the partnership looked to be threatening the hosts, a wicket falls. The crease has a new occupant in the form of Zakary Foulkes at number 8. Mohammed Siraj (6-0-26-1) is back on.

OUT! MICHAEL BRACEWELL IS RUN OUT! A superb piece of fielding from Shreyas Iyer and a timely wicket for India. Harshit Rana bowls this in the blockhole, on middle, Daryl Mitchell jams it out towards long on, and calls for the second run. However, Shreyas Iyer is quick to run forward, picks it up with one hand and hits the bullseye at the bowler's end, with Michael Bracewell struggling to make his ground while completing the second run. He does not look that confident, and the replay shows that he is short of his crease. The Kiwi skipper goes back for 16 off 18, and New Zealand are 237/6 now.

Pitched up and around off, Michael Bracewell drives it away to sweeper cover for a run.

FOUR! Powered away! Harshit Rana goes fuller and on off, gives no pace at all. Michael Bracewell reads it early, extends his arms and thumps it past the bowler, to the long off fence for a boundary.

On a length and on middle, Daryl Mitchell clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

WIDE! Tries the slower bouncer, on middle, but this goes a bit too high. Daryl Mitchell hops up and tries to upper cut but misses. Called a wide. Mitchell does a sarcastic jump to taunt Rana here. Getting a bit feisty here.

Back of a length and around off, slower again, Michael Bracewell punches it to long off for a run.

Slower delivery, full and on middle, Daryl Mitchell drills it past the bowler and to the right of long off for a single. Harshit Rana stands in the way of Mitchell while he is completing the run, and there is a heated exchange of words between the two.

Harsha Bhogle on air informs that Washington Sundar has sprained his back while bowling his fifth over. His injury is being monitored right now. Harshit Rana (6-0-34-2) is back on, replacing Kuldeep Yadav.

A loopy slower ball, around off, dips in too. Devon Conway waits for an eternity before dragging it off the inner half of the bat to long on for one more.

Hard length and just outside off, angling away, Michael Bracewell reaches out and toe-ends it to long off for another run.

Shot of a length and around middle, Daryl Mitchell pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Right in the blockhole, on middle and leg. Michael Bracewell just about gets some bat on it to tuck it through square leg for a single.

Back of a length and angling into the body of the batter. Michael Bracewell tries to pull it away but misses and gets hit on the thigh pads. It drops to the leg side, and he wants the run but is sent back.

Hard length and on off, nips back in, Michael Bracewell tries to cut but gets a bottom edge behind to the right of the keeper.

Flatter, full and on middle, Michael Bracewell works it to long on for one.

FIFTY FOR DARYL MITCHELL! Off just 51 deliveries. A fine, well-compiled knock from him and he gets to his 12th ODI half-century, and he has not looked troubled. Looped up, full and outside off, Daryl Mitchell reaches out and drills it to sweeper cover for a single. 119, 44, 56*, 78*, 43 - these are his last five ODI scores before this knock. Not a cent of doubt about his outstanding form of late.

Drops it short and around off, Daryl Mitchell punches it to extra cover.

SIX! Into the stands! Tossed up, full and on middle, turns in a bit. Daryl Mitchell clears his front leg away and launches it with the spin over the long on fence for a biggie.

Flighted, full and outside off, Daryl Mitchell reaches out a bit and slices it towards deep point for a couple of runs.

Floated, short and around leg, Michael Bracewell flicks it off the back foot through square leg for a single.

Powerplay 3! Now five fielders are allowed outside the inner ring till the last over. New Zealand have just slowed down a bit in the last few overs, but they will want to finish well here and get something near 300, if not more than that. India's job will be to stop them from doing that. Also, here is Kuldeep Yadav. He is 8-0-42-1 so far.

At 140.1 kph, this is lasered in as a yorker, on off, Daryl Mitchell shovels it out but gets a thick inside edge onto his boot before the ball rolls back to Prasidh.

Slants it into the batter, on a length, Michael Bracewell stays leg side of the ball and steers it away to deep backward point for a single.

Much fuller, and straighter, on off, Michael Bracewell gets on the front foot and carves it away to mid off.

Slower one again, into the pitch, Michael Bracewell steps down the track and pulls it behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

Pitched on a length, a slower one angling in and around off, Michael Bracewell bunts it back to the bowler.

Slightly full and around off, Michael pushes at the delivery, and gets it off the inner half to mid-wicket.

In front of the sticks, full in length, Bracwell goes back and nudges it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Short in length, Daryl Mitchell goes on the back foot and drags it across with a pull shot, to the left of long on for a single.

WIDE! Miles outside off, beyond the tramline. Left alone.

On the pads, touch full, steered off the front foot to backward square leg for a single.

Short, outside off, Mitchell cuts it off the back foot to deep point for a single.

FOUR! A bit agricultural! He dances down the track and heaves this length ball off the inner half of the bat, but clears mid-wicket for a boundary.

Not too full, around off, Daryl steers it to Rohit's right at backward point and rushes for a single. Rohit gets rid of the ball quickly and flatly throws it to the bowler's end, but misses his shy.

Almost a yorker, off, Daryl Mitchell digs it out through wide mid on for a single. 200 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND!

Short of a good length, on top of middle, Michael Bracewell hangs back and nudges it through backward square leg for a single.

Straight and full, on off, Bracewell forces the drive to mid off.

Skipper Michael Bracewell comes out to the middle now with his side in a slight spot of bother.

OUT! BOWLED! A corker of a delivery and Krishna bags his first wicket. He spears one on a good length, bashing the surface hard. The ball skids and nips back in sharply off the seam. Mitchell Hay gets squared up and plays all over it, getting beaten on the inside edge trying to block. The ball sneaks through the gap between bat and pad and clips the top of middle and off stumps. Mitchell Hay got a start, but couldn't cash on it. 18 (13) from him. New Zealand are 198/5.

Nails in a yorker that tails in on middle, Daryl Mitchell tries to shovel it away with a flick, but gets it off the inside edge to the left of short fine leg. Harshit Rana moves across and slides to stop it. A single taken.

Around off, on a good length, Daryl hangs back, plays it late and steers it to deep backward point for a single.

Prasidh Krishna (4-0-21-0) is back on. Also, looks like Mitchell Hay is feeling the heat a bit, and the 12th man comes in with a towel. He also gets some fluids in to go again.

Full and outside off, Mitchell Hay leans on and drills it past the diving extra cover fielder to his right for a single. 10 runs off the over. 8-0-47-0 are Jadeja's bowling figures so far.

FOUR! Quick hands! Pushed quicker on a shorter length, on middle, asking for trouble. Mitchell Hay picks the length in a trice, rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Nice and full, on middle and leg, pushed back to Jadeja off the front foot.

FOUR! Off the edge! Short and flat, outside off, Mitchell Hay is rushed on the back foot and tries to cut it late, but gets a fat outside edge and there's not a single soul in that region which helps the ball to race away to the deep third fence.

On middle, on a fullish length, Daryl Mitchell flicks off his pads to deep square leg for a single.

Flat and touch full, on off, Daryl blocks it off the back foot.

Short, on the stumps, nicely punched off the back foot to long on for a single.

Good running between the wickets! Much fuller from Kuldeep, on the leg stump line. Mitchell Hay gets across and paddles it fine to deep fine leg. By the time Nitish Kumar Reddy cuts it off to his right from deep square leg, they cross each other thrice.

Slowish delivery, short on the leg stump, Daryl Mitchell uses his wrists to nudge it to deep backward square leg for a single. Another 30-plus score for Daryl.

Not too short, but Mitchell goes back and tucks it back to the bowler's right.

He draws his front foot out and drills this full ball through mid off for a single.

Spins back in from off, on a length. Mitchell Hay goes back and taps it back to the bowler using soft hands.

Short and on the leg stump, Hay gets on the back foot and works it to long on for one more.

On middle and full, swept away to deep square leg for a single.

Again, Daryl sweeps this full ball, dragging it from outside off, in front of square for two more as Krishna slides to intercept. Krishna's knee gets plugged into the outfield, but he manages to stop it.

On middle and off, on a length, Daryl Mitchell gets down on a knee and sweeps it to deep mid-wicket. Prasidh Krishna runs to his left from deep square leg and cuts it off. Two taken.

Drags the length by a yard, on middle, Daryl Mitchell rocks back and knocks it back to Jadeja.

Serves it full, on off, Hay drives it along the ground to long off for a single.

India have picked up their preferred ball out of the two that will be bowled for the next 16 overs.

Full and outside off, Mitchell Hay drives it to deep extra cover for a single. A successful over for Kuldeep and India.

Looped up at 82 kph, around off, driven off the front foot to wide long off for a single.

Drags the length back, on middle, bunted off the back foot to the bowler.

Hay is off the mark! Full and pushed through, on off, Hay drives it away to long off for a single.

Mitchell Hay walks out to bat now.

OUT! CHIPPED STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! The partnership was brewing nicely between these two but has been brought to a halt by Kuldeep, who gets his first wicket. Floated around off, on a fuller length, Glenn Phillips gets sucked into the shot. He pushes at the delivery with hard hands, but is nowhere near the pitch of the ball. His bat gets dragged in front of his pads as he looks to drive it through cover, but gets a thick outside edge. The ball is chipped towards Shreyas Iyer stationed at backward point for an easy catch. Glenn Phillips admonishes himself on the way to the dressing room. 12 (19) for GP and New Zealand are 170/4.

Fraction fuller, on off, Glenn Phillips rushes back and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Shortish delivery, on the stumps, Glenn Phillips uses the depth of the crease and punches it across to long on for a single.

Just holds on the surface, on a length, outside off, GP covers the line and knocks it on the bounce to Jadeja.

Full and at 96.6 kph, on middle, Daryl Mitchell dances down the track and heaves it off the inner half to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flat and quick, on middle, Daryl Mitchell nudges it to cover.

Full and slower through the air, at 87.8 kph, Glenn Phillips gets forward and drives it to deep extra cover for a single.

Off break, full and around off, Daryl carves it away to deep point for a single.

DRINKS! India have pulled things back nicely in the 21-30 over phase, picking up 3 wickets and also putting a check on the runs. They will want to get in a few more cheap overs and keep the pressure on the batters to try and take a few risks. New Zealand need to rebuild a bit, and Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips are trying to do exactly that, but they also do not want to let the excellent start by the openers go to waste. If the Kiwis bat well here, they can be thinking of getting something over 300, which will not be easy on this wicket. Also, Washington Sundar is off the field due to a side strain, and Nitish Kumar Reddy is the replacement fielder.

Drops it in front of middle, on a fuller length, Glenn gets on the front foot and taps it with soft hands to extra cover.

He steps down the track and works this flighted full ball to long off for a single.

Slower through the air, at 86.3 kph, full on middle, Mitchell leans on and smothers the spin.

Overpitched on middle, Phillips drills it down to long on for a single.

Short and it stays low on the bounce, around the leg stump, Daryl Mitchell nudges it off the back foot to square leg for a single.

Short, on off, Glenn Phillips hangs back and knocks it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Perfectly placed! More of a top-spin from Jadeja, full and on the leg stump line. Daryl Mitchell gets down on a knee and sweeps it uppishly, but through the mid-wicket and square leg gap for a cracking boundary. 9 off the over. Jadeja's figures read 5-0-26-0 so far.

Drags the length back, around off, GP rocks back and punches it along the ground, wide of mid off for a single. Phillips looks for the second but Mitchell screams to send him back.

In and around middle and leg, Glenn Phillips eases this full ball to mid on.

Slowish delivery, in front of the stumps, pushed back to the bowler.

FOUR! Crrrunched! Short and around off, Glenn Phillips rocks back and threads the cover and mid off gap for a boundary.

Full and flat on middle, Glenn Phillips leans forward and pushes it back to the bowler.

A decent passage of play for India between overs 21 and 30. New Zealand added 49 runs in that phase, but it came at a cost, with three key wickets falling along the way. New Zealand need a stable partnership in the phase of next 10 overs for a strong finish.

Pushed through quicker, full and on middle, Daryl Mitchell steps across to work it to the leg side but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls towards backward square leg. Mitchell wants the run but is sent back in time. There is also an appeal for LBW from Kuldeep, but turned down. KL Rahul signals there is some bat involved.

A googly, full and around off, Daryl Mitchell goes down for the reverse sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Floats it up, full and on middle, Glenn Phillips eases it to long on for another run.

Short again and on leg, Daryl Mitchell clips it through square leg for a run.

Shorter in length and on off, Glenn Phillips punches it to long on for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Glenn Phillips defends it on the front foot.

Spin in tandem. Kuldeep Yadav (4-0-25-0) is back on, replacing Mohammed Siraj.

Drags his length back and around off, Glenn Phillips guides it through point for one more. 150 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND!

Flighted delivery, full and on off, Glenn Phillips pushes it back to the bowler.

Quicker and shorter, outside off, Daryl Mitchell cuts it to deep point for a single.

Flatter, full and on middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell knocks it to the right of the bowler.

Goes short and around off, Daryl Mitchell opens the face of his bat and punches it through cover-point and comes back for the second run.

Tossed up, full and on off, Daryl Mitchell drives it wide of the bowler, where Ravindra Jadeja dives to his left to make a good stop.

Pitched up and on off, Glenn Phillips fends it to the off side. Just 3 runs off the over and a wicket. Excellent stuff from Siraj!

Three relatively quick wickets for India. From 117/0, the tourists have slipped down to 146/3. Into the Kiwi middle order now as Glenn Phillips walks in at number 5. He recently scored an unbeaten 90 off 48 in the Super Smash, batting for Otago Volts against the Central Stags, where strikingly, he batted left-handed.

OUT! TAKEN! Mohammed Siraj gets a wicket now, and he has deserved it. He steams in from over the wicket, rolls his fingers and bangs this into the pitch as well. Will Young just bends his back to sway away and tries to upper cut, but only manages to get a slight outside edge behind, where KL Rahul takes a dolly. Siraj did not give any room to the batters all over, and finally got the reward. New Zealand are 146/3 now, and the crowd is finding its voice again. Will Young departs on 12 (16).

Hard length and on middle, Daryl Mitchell punches it with a straight bat to long on for another run.

Touch fuller and on middle, Will Young works it wide of mid on for a run.

On a length and on leg, Daryl Mitchell clips it through square leg for a single.

Nice stop! Fuller and on middle, Daryl Mitchell clips it away wide of short mid-wicket, where Rohit Sharma dives to his left to stop it well. The crowd loved it!

Goes short and outside off, Daryl Mitchell cuts it away to deep point for one. Just 2 runs off the over!

Slower through the air, full and on middle, Daryl Mitchell knocks it back to the bowler.

Floated, full and around off, Daryl Mitchell strides out and taps it to short cover.

Flatter, short and on off, Daryl Mitchell tries to cut it away but chops it down onto the pitch.

Flighted, full and around off, Daryl Mitchell pushes it towards short cover, where Virat Kohli dives to his left and parries it to extra cover.

Tossed up, full and on off, Will Young drives it to long off for a single.

Bangs this into the pitch again, on middle, Will Young gets on top and pulls it away nicely wide of deep square leg for a run.

WIDE! Bangs in a bouncer but down the leg side, Will Young leaves it alone. Called a wide.

Short of a length and on middle, Daryl Mitchell pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Just over! Mohammed Siraj lands this on a good length and on off. Daryl Mitchell takes on the mid off fielder and muscles it. He does not get it from the middle of the bat but gets enough to get it over Shubman Gill for a boundary.

Touch fuller this time, on off, Daryl Mitchell gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Back of a length and on off, Devon Conway pats it down to short cover.

On a length and on off, Will Young guides it to third man for a single.

At halfway into the first innings, New Zealand are 133/2, trying to rebuild once again. 29/2 in the last 5 overs, so the run rate hasn't dipped massively for the tourists. Mohammed Siraj is back on for his second spell. 4-0-15-0 are his bowling figures. He replaces Harshit Rana.

Flatter, full and around off, Will Young drills it away to deep point for one more.

Slows it up, shortish and on off, turns away. Daryl Mitchell stays back but just gets squared and steers it off the outer half of the bat towards point for one.

Goes short and on middle, Will Young nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Flighted, full and on off, Daryl Mitchell pushes it through cover-point and calls for the second. However, Mitchell slips while turning back for the second, and seeing that Young cancels the plan. Nitish Kumar Reddy also fails to pick it up cleanly in the deep, as he overruns, but it does not cost much.

Floated, full and on off, Daryl Mitchell goes down and reverse sweeps it wide of sweeper covers. The fielder in the deep runs to his left and dives to make a fine stop. Two taken.

Goes short and around off, Will Young punches it through covers for a single.

Both the well-set openers are back in the sheds in a very short span, both dismissed by Rana. Daryl Mitchell is in at number 4. He averages over 53 in ODI cricket and is going through a fabulous phase in this format off late.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Harshit Rana has turned things around in the space of 2 overs here. Clever change of pace again from him, but this time with pace on, as he bowls this on 142.2 kph. Serves this full and around off, gets it to nip back in a bit. Devon Conway goes for the big-booming drive to the off side, but without much footwork. The ball catches the inside edge and crashes onto the leg pole. Conway departs for 56 off 67, and Rana gets rid of both openers. New Zealand slip from 117/0 to 126/2.

A slower one, full and on off, Devon Conway drives it away to mid off.

Hits the length hard, on off, nips back in sharply. Will Young plays it very close to his stumps and pats it in front of point. The batters take on Ravindra Jadeja and scamper for one.

Back of a length and around leg, takes pace off, Devon Conway hooks it towards short fine, where a fumble means the batters get another run.

On a length and around leg, Will Young glances it towards short fine for a run.

BUZZERS! Fuller delivery, on middle, Devon Conway bunts it back towards the bowler. Harshit Rana grabs it on his follow-through but tries to be clever and flicks it back onto the stumps at the bowler's end to catch Young off-guard, but misses, which allows the single.

A bit shorter and on middle, Will Young moves back and keeps it out on the pitch.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Will Young stays back and turns it to the leg side.

Drags his length back, on middle, Devon Conway punches it to long on for one.

Flighted, full and on off, Will Young drills it to the right of mid off and scampers across for another run.

Floated, short and on middle, Devon Conway flicks it off the back foot through mid-wicket for a run.

Tossed up, full and on off, Will Young drives it to long off for a single.

Ravindra Jadeja is introduced into the attack. Spinner number 3 for India. He replaces Kuldeep Yadav.

Short of a length and on off, Will Young dabs it in front of point and picks up a single to get off the mark.

A bouncer to welcome the new batter, on middle, Will Young pulls it hard but finds the short mid-wicket fielder.

Finally, a wicket for India. But Nicholls and Conway allied together to form a strong foundation for the rest to come. Will Young walks in at number 3. FYI, he was the Player of the Series when New Zealand toured India for a 3-match Test series in late 2024.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! A very soft dismissal, but India won't mind one bit as they finally break the huge 117-run opening stand. Harshit Rana cleverly rolls his fingers on the ball to take pace off, serves this full and way outside off. Henry Nicholls gets in two minds whether to play or not, and ends up just hanging his bat out to reach for it. The ball dips just in front of his bat and takes the outside edge, before KL Rahul dives to his left to take a fine catch behind the stumps. Nicholls falls for an excellent 62 off 69, and has given New Zealand a superb start here.

FOUR! TWO IN TWO! The base has been set, and now the Kiwi openers are taking on the bowlers. Bangs this into the pitch, but not short enough to trouble the batter. Henry Nicholls picks up the length early and pulls it with disdain to the deep mid-wicket fence for another boundary.

FOUR! Gets it away! Harshit Rana lands this short of a length and around middle. Henry Nicholls comes down the track, gets on top of it, and heaves it away past the mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.

Good-length delivery, on off, Henry Nicholls crouches low and steers it away but straight to point.

A bit quicker, full and on leg, Henry Nicholls drives it to long on for one more.

Slows it up, full and around middle, Henry Nicholls pushes it back to the bowler.

Flatter, full and on middle and leg, Henry Nicholls goes down and swipes it behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

Floated, full and on middle, Henry Nicholls knocks it wide of the bowler, where Kuldeep Yadav dives to his right to make a good stop. Gets applause from the crowd as well.

Flighted, full and on middle and leg, Devon Conway drills it down to long on for a run.

Tossed up, full and on off, Henry Nicholls eases it towards long off for a single.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR DEVON CONWAY AS WELL! This is his 6th ODI half century. He is opening up his range of shots now. Touch full, outside off, Devon Conway dances down the track and smokes it inside out over extra cover for a cracking six. Calmly raises his bat to acknowledge the applause from his teammates. He and Nicholls have laid a solid base for their side. They have hardly been troubled at the crease.

FIFTY FOR HENRY NICHOLLS! His 16th ODI half century. Dropped on 4 earlier, he has batted in complete control and is making India pay for that error. Slowish through the air, around off, Henry works it widish long off for a single to get to his milestone. 100 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND! The men in the Kiwi dressing room get on their feet to appreciate this knock of his.

Short and around off, Devon Conway punches it to long off for a single.

On a length, around leg, knocked off the back foot to long on for a single.

Floated up outside off at 97.6 kph. Conway strides forward, opens the face of the bat and eases it out to deep point for a single.

Length, outside off, cut off the back foot to deep backward point for a single.

Dropped short, on middle, bunted down to long on for a single.

He presses ahead on this full ball and eases it back to the bowler.

STRAIGHT UP... LANDS SAFE! Fortunes favor Conway once again. Fullish delivery, around off, Devon Conway tries to sweep it away but gets a fat top edge that lands safely between the short fine leg and short third fielders for a single.

Full and straight, on off, Devon leans and flicks off the inner half to mid-wicket.

SIX! Misjudgment from Sundar costs India a six. Virat Kohli is fuming at the fielder as to why he is 10-12 yards in off the ropes. Kuldeep cannot quite believe it. Full on the stumps, Conway drops to one knee and plays the slog sweep aerially. He drags it off the inside half, and it sails over Sundar, who was stationed a few yards inside the rope. Sundar soon tried to correct himself by running back and tried to pluck with his right hand over his head, but the ball just lands on the cushions for a six. The TV umpire checks and confirms it landed flush on the boundary cushion.

Slides on the leg stump, on a length, Devon hangs back and tucks it to mid on.

India are deploying spin from both ends now in the hopes of getting a wicket. They have managed to get a couple of quiet overs and will be looking to build on that and try to put a bit of pressure on the batters, who, so far, have looked pretty solid out there.

Pushed through, full and into the batter, Devon Conway tries to sweep by getting down, but gets an inside edge onto the pads and the ball rolls to the off side for a single.

Much fuller, around off, Henry Nicholls leans on and works it to deep cover for a single.

Touch full, around middle and off. Henry bumps it back to the bowler.

On a dragged length, around the leg stump, Devon nudges it down to long on for a single.

Floated nicely, full and on middle, Devon reverse sweeps it to short third.

A massive appeal for LBW, but not given. Gill walks up to chat with the keeper and the bowler, and there is a bit of a conference among the Indian players, probably regarding the impact. But after those discussions, they opt against the review. Conway steps out of the crease to push the full ball straight, but plays over the line and seems to have got beaten on the inside edge, wearing it on the front pad. And there we have it. Ball Tracking shows the impact is outside off.

On a good length, this is punched down to long on for a single.

Full and on the stumps, drilled down the ground for a single.

Conventional leg break, full and around off, Nicholls gets a good stride in and eases it to extra cover.

Nice and full, on middle, defended off the front foot.

WIDE! KL Rahul thinks it has grazed the inside edge and appeals for a caught behind, but the umpire doesn't think so. UltraEdge shows that the ball actually clipped the flap of the front pad on its way to the keeper. But it's given as a wide. Slides one down leg, on a length, Nicholls misses to tuck it around the corner, and the keeper, KL Rahul, moves to his right and gathers it.

Full and on middle, Henry lunges ahead and defends it off the inside half of the bat to mid-wicket.

Slides one on the leg stump, full in length, Henry Nicholls leans forward and clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! This has been an excellent start for New Zealand. They have been hardly troubled by the bowlers and have looked more at home. The two left-handers saw off the new ball phase watchfully, and are now gradually starting to up the scoring rate. They might have not found a lot of boundaries, but they have kept themselves busy by rotating the strike. India have deployed spin from one end, and would like to get a couple of wickets as quickly as possible to push the opponents on the back foot. New Zealand potentially could have been one down way early, had Kuldeep snaffled that chance off Nicholls. With the scoring rate just a touch south of 5, these two will try to keep up with the pace in the middle phase. Jadeja is yet to be introduced, but for now, it will be Kuldeep Yadav to bowl from this end. 1-0-7-0 so far.

On a length and on off, Devon Conway pats it in front of point and wants the run but is sent back, and rightly so.

Prasidh Krishna nails a yorker now, just outside off. Devon Conway is not expecting that and fails to get his bat down in time to dig it out.

Fuller delivery and around off, Henry Nicholls drives it through covers for another run.

Back of a length and on off, Devon Conway runs it down to third man for a run.

Uppish but safe! Short of a length and on middle and leg, Henry Nicholls pulls it but just checks his shot. It goes off the upper half of the bat but lands well in front of the deep square leg fielder. They cross.

Good-length delivery, on off, Henry Nicholls pushes it towards short cover.

20 runs in the last 3 overs for New Zealand, and these two southpaws are feeling at home now. The most important feature of this partnership is that they haven't been flashy at all. Both batters have different sets of techniques, but have fared well. Where Nicholls plays with a straight bat and leaning forward with a big stride, Conway's feet don't move much, and his head slightly falls over while driving the ball.

Slower through the air again from Kuldeep Yadav, full and on off, turns away. Devon Conway uses his feet but his front foot lands on the heel and he slips. However, he manages to get his bat in front of his pad to keep it out.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Henry Nicholls eases it towards long on for one.

FOUR! Brilliant shot! Henry Nicholls is looking in real good touch here. Floated, full and around off. Nicholls goes down and executes the reverse sweep to perfection past backward point for a boundary.

Goes short and on off, Devon Conway moves back and punches it through cover-point for a run.

Flighted, full and on middle, Devon Conway prods forward and blocks it out.

Tossed up, full and on off, Henry Nicholls looks to drive it away but gets an inside edge towards short fine for a quick single.

India are in a desperate search for a wicket. And for that, Gill summons his ace spinner. Kuldeep Yadav, who dropped Nicholls early in the innings on 4, is brought into the attack now. He replaces Washington Sundar.

Much fuller and around off, Henry Nicholls pushes it towards cover for a quick one.

On a length and on middle, Henry Nicholls pats it towards mid on.

FOUR! Good effort in the deep, but in vain! Back of a length and on middle and leg, Henry Nicholls rolls his wrists again and pulls it with great timing towards deep backward square leg. Mohammed Siraj runs a long way to his right and dives to stop it with his right hand, but it touches the ropes and the ball also rolls behind into the fence. The TV umpire checks for it and confirms that it is a boundary.

Full again and on middle, Henry Nicholls drills it towards mid on.

Pitched up and on middle, Devon Conway uses his feet to go over extra cover, but the ball holds up in the surface. It takes the inside edge and rolls towards mid on as the batters get a single.

Fuller delivery and around off, Devon Conway taps it towards short cover.

Another short delivery around off, Devon Conway stays back and forces it towards sweeper cover. Calls for two, but the fielder is quick to get the ball and the batters have to settle for one.

Flighted, full and on off, Henry Nicholls drives it to long off for a run.

Drags his length back and on off, Henry Nicholls moves back and punches it towards cover-point.

FOUR! Nicely done! Flatter, full and on off. Henry Nicholls goes down across and sweeps it away with good timing, beating short fine leg to his right for a boundary.

Floated, full and on middle, Devon Conway tucks it a bit uppishly but safely towards long on for a single.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Devon Conway looks to drive it away but gets a bottom edge back towards the bowler.

Pulls his length back, on off, skids through a bit. Henry Nicholls gets a bit squared up but manages to keep it out to the right of the bowler.

Touch fuller and around off, Devon Conway opens the face of his bat and guides it towards deep third for one.

On air, Ravi Shastri gave an excellent breakdown of Devon Conway's recent technical adjustments. Shastri detailed that while Conway used to lead with his hands before, he has now synchronized his movement. With the bat and hands meeting the ball at the same time, Conway is finding it much easier to find the middle of the bat.

On a length and on middle, Henry Nicholls pats it with soft hands towards mid on for an easy run.

Hits the length hard and on off, takes off a bit, Henry Nicholls rides the bounce and dabs it down to backward point.

Back of a length and on middle, angling in, Devon Conway waits for it and runs it down to deep third for a single.

Short of a length and outside off, Devon Conway cuts it away hard but straight to point. That was there to be put away.

Loops it up, full and on middle, Devon Conway backs away and drives it through covers for one.

Arm ball, full and on middle, angling in, Henry Nicholls drills it to long on for another run.

Pushed through quicker, short again and just around off. Henry Nicholls tries to cut it away but gets a bit hurried and stabs it out to point.

Slightly shorter in length and on off, Devon Conway moves back and punches it to long off for a run.

Floated, full and on middle, Devon Conway pushes it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Henry Nicholls eases it to long off for a single. 50 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND!

That's the end of the first Powerplay! Undoubtedly, with no loss of a wicket, New Zealand have bossed it up nicely. They have also maintained a decent pace, going about at 4.9 runs per over, with both openers getting starts. As the field spreads, with a maximum of 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle, in the span of 11-40 overs, these two will look to double it down in this middle phase. Washington Sundar (1-0-4-0) to continue.

Length again, on middle, Devon Conway keeps it out to the leg side. 9 runs from the last over of Powerplay 1!

FOUR! He's got that away! Prasidh Krishna bowls this on a good length but down the leg side. Devon Conway tickles it away fine and wide of deep fine leg. Mohammed Siraj runs to his left and puts in a dive, but fails to stop the boundary.

Short of a length and around off, Henry Nicholls steers it through backward point for one.

FOUR! Cheeky and effective! Prasidh Krishna hits the length hard and around off. Henry Nicholls shuffles across after the delivery has been bowled. He brings out the ramp and gets it over short fine leg for a boundary.

On a length and around middle, Henry Nicholls tucks it away to short mid-wicket.

Back of a length and on middle, sticks to the surface a bit. Henry Nicholls tries to heave it across the line but goes a bit early. It lobs up off the leading edge and rolls towards point.

Double change as expected. Here's Prasidh Krishna, pacer number three, replacing Harshit Rana.

Flatter, full and outside off, skids through and stays low, Devon Conway goes for the big drive but just with his hands, fails to connect. Just 4 runs off Sundar's first over!

Short again and on off, Henry Nicholls punches it towards extra cover for a single.

Goes a bit short and on middle, Henry Nicholls stabs it back to the bowler.

Good effort in the deep! Flighted delivery, full and on middle. Henry Nicholls comes down the track and lofts it with a straight bat and wide of long off. Mohammed Siraj runs across to his left and pushes it back into the field of play to keep it down to two runs.

Tossed up, full and on middle, angles in, Henry Nicholls prods forward and knocks it to the left of the bowler.

Floated, full and on middle and leg, Devon Conway uses his feet and drills it to long off for a single.

Spin has been introduced now in the form of Washington Sundar, who replaces Mohammed Siraj. A slip in place.

Fuller delivery, on the pads, Henry Nicholls glances it away but straight towards short fine. A bit to either side and it would have been a boundary.

Hits the length hard, on middle, Henry Nicholls hangs back on his crease and pats it back to the bowler.

WIDE! Harshit Rana bangs this hard into the pitch, angling into the leg side. Henry Nicholls tries to hook it away, but it looks like he misses due to the extra bounce, and it goes behind. KL Rahul moves to his right and grabs it. He appeals for the catch but mostly to bluff the umpire for not giving a wide. The tactic did not work as a wide is given. Rana looks very interested, but Shubman Gill does not take the review, and UltraEdge also shows no spike.

Pulls his length back a bit, on middle, Henry Nicholls tucks it away with soft hands through mid-wicket and comes back for the second run.

Touch fuller and on off, Henry Nicholls pushes it towards extra cover.

FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and on middle, angling in a bit. Henry Nicholls gets on top of the bounce nicely, rolls his wrists and pulls it away. Doesn't try to hit it too hard, just gets it past the mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.

Lands this on a good length and around off. Henry Nicholls opens the face of his bat and steers it towards point.

On a length and on off, Devon Conway pushes it towards cover.

FOUR! Excellent timing and placement! Pitched up and on off, Mohammed Siraj rolls his fingers to take pace off. Devon Conway reads it well and drives it beautifully in the gap between extra cover and mid off. Virat Kohli moves to his left from extra cover but has no chance, and it beats the dive of Shubman Gill at mid off to race to the fence behind for a boundary.

Fuller again and around off, Devon Conway strides out and drives it firmly but fails to beat extra cover.

Much fuller this time, on middle and on off, Devon Conway gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Short of a length and around off, Henry Nicholls steps across to get inside the line of it and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Good-length delivery, on middle, Henry Nicholls stays on the back foot and knocks it with a straight bat towards mid on.

On a back of a length, just outside off, Conway drives it to the mid off fielder.

FOUR! PUNISHED! Slammed hard into the pitch, on middle and leg, Devon Conway lifts his front leg up in the air to balance himself nicely and rolls his wrists to the left of deep fine leg for a boundary.

Full and on off, Nicholls steals a single in front of mid off. The fielder runs forward and underflicks the ball towards the non-striker's end while diving, but misses his shy, allowing Nicholls to rush into the crease.

On a length, around off, driven away to the left of mid off for a single.

IN THE AIR AND DROPPED! Kuldeep Yadav is not one of the best of the fielders, but that was a regulation chance. Harshit is shell-shocked and the camera pans on Gill who has a straightish look, hiding his disappointment. On a back of a length, outside off, Henry Nicholls slashes hard, but gets a thick outside edge that flies at catchable height towards deep third. The ball dips a bit in front of Kuldeep, as he runs in off the ropes, a bit to his left, but just doesn't get himself into a comfortable position to catch it. He opts to go down a bit, his left knee jars on the ground, and because of the jerk, the ball pops out of his palms to roll away for a single.

Nagging length, around middle, Henry Nicholls hops off and tucks it to cover.

The pitch appears to be on the slower side, with an uneven bounce on it. It just might get a bit more uneven as the game progresses. Harshit Rana (2-0-7-0) to continue from this end.

Fractionally full, on middle, angling in. Devon Conway presses forward and bunts it down the pitch.

Full and straight, around off, Devon Conway cracks the drive on the up and finds mid off.

Hard length, nipping away from off, Devon Conway rocks back and dabs it to backward point using soft hands.

Length-delivery, outside off, Conway steers it away to backward point.

FOUR! Geez, that has pinged off the bat! At 136.5 kph, on a good length, just outside off, Devon Conway gets a good stride forward and drives it through the narrow gap between point and cover for a boundary.

Back of a length, outside off, Conway is happy to not go fishing at it. The ball dies on its way to the keeper as KL Rahul has to bend low to gather it before the grass.

Outside off, on a length, Conway lets it be. Again, the ball bounces before the keeper.

Touch full, around off, Devon presses ahead and knocks it to the right of cover for a quick single.

Loose from Devon! This one leaves the batter after landing the seam, outside off, on a good length. Devon Conway chases the ball without moving his feet and gets beaten on the outside edge by a whisker.

FOUR! Right out of the coach's manual! Overpitched by Rana, angling into the batter, Devon Conway gets on the front foot, presents a straight bat with a steady head, and cracks the straight drive down the ground for a cracking boundary. Everything was so on point about that shot.

Fractionally fuller, at 142.1 kph, around off, Conway strides across and steers it straight to backward point. Stopped by Jadeja there.

WIDE! For height! Way too short, flying over the batter's head. Conway ducks under it.

From around the stumps, this is short, outside off, Conway ignores.

FOUR! Henry is off the mark with the first boundary of the inning! On a back of a length, on top of middle and leg, Henry Nicholls hangs deep in the crease and glances it nicely using his wrists. Plays a bit uppishly but through the vacant square leg region for a boundary.

Hard length, outside off at 136.4 kph, Henry Nicholls plays off the back foot and punches it to the cover fielder.

Angled across the batter, full in length, Henry Nicholls leans forward and drives it crisply, but cannot get it past the mid off fielder.

Slammed on the hard length, outside off, Henry rocks back and knocks it down to mid off.

Close leave! Back of a length, just outside off, Henry Nicholls leaves and the ball zips back to the keeper.

Harsha Bhogle on air shares that the Kotambi Stadium of Vadodara is the 51st Indian ODI venue.

Full and straight, around off, at 138.5 kph, Devon pushes it to the left of mid off for a quick single.

Much fuller, in and around middle, Nicholls drives it straight and Rana sticks out his left hand to stop on his follow-through.

Bashed on a length, on top of middle, Henry Nicholls hangs back and taps it to point with soft hands.

Two slips in place for Henry! Fuller ball, just outside off, slanting in a touch. Henry Nicholls closely watches it and decides to offer no shot.

Back of a length, outside off, at 136.4 kph, Conway strides ahead and guides the ball through widish backward point for a single.

Closer to the batter, angling in, but still fairly outside off, Conway shoulders arms. This time, KL Rahul gets a good carry as he collects the ball at his chest height.

Wide outside off, on a good length, Devon Conway is happy to let that go.

A decent start for Siraj. He got the ball to swing a bit. But we already have the signs that there is not much bounce on offer. Pace from the other end. Here's Harshit Rana into the attack.

In front of the stumps, slightly shaping in from middle, Henry Nicholls leans on the front foot and blocks this full ball back to Siraj.

Conway and New Zealand are underway! Length-delivery, jagging in a touch. Devon nudges it across to square leg, where Sundar fumbles a bit and allows the batters to cross for a single.

Beats the bat! On the fifth stump line, and then snaking back into the batter, fuller in length. Devon Conway presses ahead to defend, but plays the initial line and gets beaten on the outside edge. The ball doesn't carry behind and goes on the bounce to KL Rahul.

Curves back in again, full in length, on leg, Devon Conway forces the flick to short mid-wicket.

Shapes in a bit, full on middle and leg, Devon Conway drills it off the front foot to mid on.

Siraj is on the money! Generates a good bit of swing into the batter, around off and full. Devon Conway presses forward and drives it to short cover, where Kohli dives to his left and stops it.

All the pre-match rituals are done and dusted, and it’s time for the first ODI to get underway. As expected, the Kotambi Stadium is packed to the rafters, with long queues still forming outside as fans look to soak in the atmosphere at this stunning venue, hosting its maiden men’s ODI. The conditions are warm and pleasant, with clear skies overhead and not a cloud in sight. Out walk the two umpires, and the Indian team forms a huddle before they spread across the field and take their respective spots. Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls are the two Kiwi openers. Back in the Indian ODI setup, Mohammed Siraj is all set to bowl the first over. Conway gears up to face the first ball. The countdown is done, and here we go...

We are just a few minutes away from the first ball, but before that, following the match referee, Javagal Srinath, and the two umpires, out walk the two sets of teams and get lined up for their respective national anthems. It will be New Zealand's first, followed by the Indian national anthem.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay (WK), Michael Bracewell (C), Zakary Foulkes, Kristian Clarke (On ODI Debut), Kyle Jamieson, and Adithya Ashok.

India (Playing XI) - Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna.

The captain of New Zealand, Michael Bracewell, says that they would have opted to bowl first, adding that the side has been here for a while now and has grown accustomed to the conditions. He speaks highly of the facilities and notes that it is a big series to be part of. He adds that it is always a source of pride to represent New Zealand and feels that playing in these conditions ahead of the World Cup is a huge advantage. Bracewell also mentions how enjoyable it is to play in front of large crowds. Assessing the surface, he feels it looks like a decent wicket, though perhaps a touch lower than what they are used to back home in New Zealand. Informs that Kristian Clarke is set to make his debut and Adithya Ashok is their frontline spinner, including himself.

The Indian captain, Shubman Gill, says that they will bowl first. Adds that they want to try different combinations according to different conditions. Mentions that it is always tough to bowl second here in India with all the dew in so that is a factor that they are bowling first. Says that most of the players are coming off playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which gives a bit of experience. Tells that the surface looks good, and hopes that there is dew and batting becomes easier later on. Informs that they are going with six bowlers, with Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep being the spinners, and Siraj, Harshit Rana, and Krishna are the three pacers.

TOSS - The coin flip lands in the favor of India and Shubman Gill elects to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Deep Dasgupta and Simon Doull are assessing the conditions at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. Deep begins by pointing out the dimensions, noting that the square boundaries are even on both sides at 67 metres, with 77 metres straight down the ground. Simon then chimes in, admitting it’s a surface that’s tricky to read at first glance. He highlights that it’s a black-soil pitch and notes the cracks are starting to open up under the heat, with a few of them widening as well. Doull adds that the surface feels hard on top but softer underneath, suggesting it may not turn into a run-fest. He reckons a total in the region of 300 would be extremely competitive. Looking ahead, he also expects the ball to skid on later in the game due to the dew, before saying there may not be a great deal of turn on offer.

New Zealand arrive with a slightly reworked squad, viewing this tour as both a challenge and an opportunity to test their depth in subcontinental conditions. Led by Michael Bracewell, the visitors will lean on the experience of Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Henry Nicholls to anchor the batting, while Will Young provides stability at the top. Their bowling unit, featuring the height and bounce of Kyle Jamieson alongside a mix of seam and spin options, will need to adapt quickly to Indian conditions. With nothing to lose and plenty of quality in their ranks, New Zealand will look to apply early pressure and make a strong statement in the series opener. Stay tuned for toss and other updates.

India step into the series with a strong and familiar core, built around experience and depth across departments. Shubman Gill is back from injury and leads the side, with stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli forming the backbone of a batting unit that also features KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, the hosts have suffered a setback ahead of the series with Rishabh Pant ruled out due to a side-strain injury sustained during a net session, and Dhruv Jurel replacing him. With the ball, India boast a varied attack, combining pace through Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna, while Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar offer control and wicket-taking options in the middle overs.

The challenge of the white-ball season gets underway as India and New Zealand lock horns in the 1st ODI of the three-match series at the Kotambi Stadium, a venue ready to host top-tier international cricket once again. With both sides eyeing momentum early in the series, this opener sets the tone for what promises to be a competitive contest between two teams that know each other well and rarely leave anything on the field. Welcome along to our coverage as we get ready for the first ball in Vadodara.

... MATCH DAY ...

As the Test season ends across the cricketing landscape for now, action in white-ball cricket is just about to notch up a mile. Sure, T20 leagues are popping off everywhere you look, continuing global domination, but something special is brewing on Indian soil. The Black Caps are flying in from the ‘land of the long white cloud’, ready to lock horns with the Men in Blue in what promises to be an absolute cracker of a white-ball series. The action kicks off at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, which is all set to host its first-ever men’s ODI game, before moving to Rajkot, and wrapping things up in Indore. Think of it as the appetiser before the main course, a five-match T20I feast that will serve as the final audition before the big dance at the T20 World Cup, which is barely a month away from now. With the calendar flipped to a new year and the next ODI World Cup still a good eighteen months down the road, both teams will be viewing this series through fresh eyes. It's a clean slate moment. India and New Zealand can actually play around a bit, figure out their best combinations, and start mapping out where they want to be when the next World Cup cycle really heats up. Now, these two haven't faced each other in ODIs since that Champions Trophy final back in March 2025, so there's a bit of anticipation in the air. India last suited up for 50-over cricket against South Africa at home in December, scraping through with a 2-1 series win. New Zealand, meanwhile, had a more comfortable outing, blanking the West Indies 3-0 at home in November. After missing the series against the Proteas due to a neck spasm, Shubman Gill returns to lead a 15-member Indian squad, which features Shreyas Iyer as the deputy. Iyer’s participation was subject to fitness clearance, but he is all set to feature after that Australia series Down Under, with Ruturaj Gaikwad making way for him despite scoring a century in his last dig. Apart from them, the big daddies of Indian cricket also return to treat the fans. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, both now working as full-time ODI compatriots, have been in some fine nick. Rohit has churned out three half-centuries and a hundred in his last six ODI appearances, in fact, in the Champions Trophy finale, he scored a 76 against the Kiwis. Kohli's somehow gone one better, smashing two fifties and two tons in that same stretch. KL Rahul holds onto his spot, which makes complete sense given how solid he's been anchoring that middle order. Rishabh Pant joins him as the secondary wicketkeeping option, marking his return to ODI cricket for the first time since August 2024. Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Nitish Kumar Reddy provide the all-round options, while Kuldeep Yadav brings his wrist-spin wizardry to the table. The pace battery features Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj. Siraj last represented India in ODIs during the tour of Australia. He has been a regular member of the Test squad while also turning out for Hyderabad in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy recently. ‘Dream is to win another series in India.’ Bold words from Will Young, who was named player of the series when New Zealand pulled off that historically stunning 3-0 Test whitewash on Indian soil. Ambitious from Will and understandably so as the Kiwis defeated Pakistan, England, and the West Indies 3-0 after that Champions Trophy finale defeat to India, and will hope to do the same against a far tougher ODI opponent in the blues. Power-packed, but not bulletproof. This is what perfectly describes New Zealand’s ODI squad for this series. They have named a largely second-string side, with one eye on the upcoming T20 World Cup. Michael Bracewell, who has a 100 per cent win record as captain in ODIs, will lead the team. Devon Conway, who's been on an absolute run-scoring spree, partners with Will Young and Henry Nicholls to complete the top order. Then there's Daryl Mitchell, the steady hand who's become a massive asset for the Kiwis. His numbers since the start of 2025 tell the story. Out of 16 innings, he's racked up a century and six fifty-plus scores, getting dismissed in single digits just once. That's insane consistency. Apart from these, experienced blokes like Glenn Phillips and Kyle Jamieson are also there with Mitchell Hay as the keeper. But largely, their squad reads several new faces, and one among those is Adithya Ashok of Indian origin, and a right-arm leg spinner, who has featured in a couple of ODIs in 2023. There are some other fresh faces who have risen from stellar domestic ranks across departments. Bowling is where New Zealand look a bit light. Jamieson and Zakary Foulkes are the only established names, while Kristian Clarke and Michael Rae are both set to make their ODI debuts. New Zealand and India will be facing off in a bilateral ODI series only after 2023, whereas India will be eyeing to maintain a series win streak at home since March of that year. Plenty to play for. Let’s hope that it turns out to be a humdinger of a series.