1st ODI: Young Pace Unit, Peerless Virat Kohli Script Impressive Win For India Against New Zealand

Xtra Time Newsdesk:.A youthful pace attack led by the formidable Gurnoor Brar unsettled New Zealand with disconcerting bounce, while Virat Kohli chose to commemorate his 38th birthday a day early by scoring a polished 74 as India secured a comfortable five-wicket victory in the shortened first ODI in Auckland on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, India bowled out the Black Caps for a disappointing 185 in 40.2 overs, as the towering 6-foot-5-inch Gurnoor justified skipper Shubman Gill's trust by scarring the home batters with his pace and bounce alongside Arshdeep Singh.

India achieved the adjusted target of 143 in 22.4 overs, with Kohli's 51-ball innings, featuring 13 fours and a six, causing most of the damage to the Kiwis.

With the team's leading trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna absent owing to injury concerns and workload management, the Punjab pair of Arshdeep (4/70 in 10 overs) and Gurnoor (3/44 in 9.2 overs) assumed the responsibility of troubling the Black Caps.

Anshul Kamboj (2/22 in 10 overs) was impressively consistent throughout the middle overs, a factor that will surely please head coach Gautam Gambhir for his decision to include three true newcomers. He delivered an astonishing 46 dot balls during his 10-over performance.

In chasing the modest target, Kohli's measured aggression proved crucial for India following Rohit Sharma's early dismissal (0).

In spite of several rain breaks, Kohli's intensity remained constant as he executed his signature cover drives, slashed through mid-wicket, and delivered powerful pull shots, both short-arm and lofted.

The Indian maestro, who will celebrate his 38th birthday on Thursday, scored his 80th ODI half-century alongside Gill (37), who expertly played a supportive role.

They scored 113 for the second wicket after Rohit was out for a six-ball duck.