India beat New Zealand by five wickets with 56 balls remaining under DLS in the first ODI on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Player of the Match Anshul Kamboj delivered a superbly controlled 2/22 from 10 overs, while Virat Kohli struck 74 as India finished on 143/5 after New Zealand had been dismissed for 185.
The victory gave India a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series, opening the new format with a win after New Zealand had taken the final two T20Is. It establishes an early advantage rather than deciding the series, with four ODIs still to come.
Kamboj supplies control as Arshdeep takes four
New Zealand were bowled out in 40.2 overs, with India's attack combining wicket-taking threat and sustained economy. Arshdeep Singh claimed 4/66 from 9.4 overs, providing the largest haul, while Kamboj's 10-over allocation cost just 22 runs and included two maidens.
That contrast defined India's bowling effort: Arshdeep collected wickets, while Kamboj gave New Zealand precious little room to accelerate. Gurnoor Brar contributed 2/43 from eight overs, adding another productive seam-bowling option.
Tim Seifert led New Zealand's batting with 38. Blair Tickner's 34 and Glenn Phillips' 30 were also important contributions, but none became the substantial individual innings New Zealand needed to build a more imposing total.
Axar Patel reinforced India's control with 0/9 from four overs, while Auqib Nabi returned 0/33 from six. Kamboj and Axar's economy ensured that New Zealand's scoring opportunities remained restricted across a significant portion of the innings.
Kohli anchors India's successful pursuit
Kohli's 74 was the defining batting performance of the match, accounting for more than half of India's eventual 143/5. Shubman Gill supplied 37 and Shreyas Iyer added 15 as India completed their innings in 22.4 overs.
New Zealand did make inroads. Jacob Duffy took three wickets, while Nathan Smith and Kyle Jamieson claimed one apiece. Those five dismissals kept the pursuit from becoming entirely straightforward, but Kohli's substantial contribution gave India the runs they needed to secure the DLS victory.
Kohli and Gill contributed 111 runs between them—not a partnership figure, but a measure of how heavily India's successful chase rested on their two leading scorers.
Key performers
- Anshul Kamboj: Player of the Match for 2/22 from 10 overs, including two maidens.
- Virat Kohli: Match-high 74 in India's 143/5.
- Arshdeep Singh: 4/66 from 9.4 overs.
- Gurnoor Brar: 2/43 from eight overs.
- Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer: 37 and 15 respectively.
- Tim Seifert, Blair Tickner and Glenn Phillips: New Zealand's main contributors with 38, 34 and 30 respectively.
- Jacob Duffy: Three wickets, with Nathan Smith and Kyle Jamieson taking one each.
NerdSports Stat: Anshul Kamboj and Axar Patel combined to concede just 31 runs across 14 overs—an economy rate of 2.21 runs per over across 84 legal deliveries.
India take the early ODI advantage
India had won the opening three T20Is by four wickets, four wickets and six wickets before New Zealand responded with victories by 87 runs and seven wickets. Having taken that T20I series 3-2, India have now regained momentum at the start of the ODI leg.
The second ODI is scheduled for Friday, November 6, followed by matches on November 9, 12 and 14. The tour then moves into Test cricket, with matches starting on November 18 and November 26.
Frequently Asked Questions
India won the match by five wickets with 56 balls remaining under DLS.
Anshul Kamboj was named Player of the Match for taking 2/22 from 10 overs, including two maidens.
India lead the five-match ODI series 1-0, with four matches remaining.
Virat Kohli top-scored with 74 runs.
New Zealand face India in the second ODI on Friday, November 6, 2026.
