Virat Kohli helps India beat New Zealand in first ODI
New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy praised the Indian batter after Kohli scored 74 to secure a five-wicket victory in Auckland.
Virat Kohli scored 74 runs off 51 balls to help India secure a five-wicket win against New Zealand in the first ODI in Auckland on Wednesday. According to Telangana Today, the rain-curtailed match saw India chase a revised target of 143 with 56 balls to spare.
New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy, who was Kohli's teammate at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during IPL 2026, said there were no holes in the batter's game. Duffy noted that Kohli did not struggle with the bounce and could play pull and hook shots effectively.
Duffy remarked that Kohli used the pace well on small grounds and could hit the ball over the head. He also mentioned that Kohli had performed similarly during net sessions in Bangalore.
The Indian bowlers helped dismiss the Black Caps for 185 in 40.2 overs. Arshdeep Singh took 4/70, while Gurnoor Brar finished with figures of 3/44.
Duffy said that defending 180 at Eden Park is difficult and noted that the Indian bowlers used the surface bounce well. He added that the short ball seemed to work for New Zealand during their innings, but the fightback was too little, too late.