IND vs NZ first ODI: India opts to bowl against New Zealand

India claimed a comfortable five-wicket victory over New Zealand in the rain-affected first ODI in Auckland on Wednesday. Powered by a 51-ball 74 from Virat Kohli, the visitors chased down a revised target of 143 in 22.4 overs. Captain Shubman Gill contributed 37 runs, combining with Kohli for a crucial 113-run second-wicket partnership after the early dismissal of Rohit Sharma.

Earlier, India's inexperienced pace attack bowled out New Zealand for 185 in 40.2 overs. Arshdeep Singh spearheaded the bowling effort with figures of 4/70, while Gurnoor Brar took 3/44 and Anshul Kamboj added 2/22. Tim Seifert top-scored for the hosts with 38 runs before New Zealand's batting lineup succumbed to sustained pressure.