India survived a dramatic late collapse to chase down 301, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in a gripping ODI at Vadodara, after half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill laid the foundation for victory.
For most of the chase, India were in cruise control. Kohli, in imperious touch, appeared set for another century as he marshalled the innings with trademark authority, adding 118 with Gill and 77 with Shreyas Iyer. Gill’s fluent 56 set the tempo early, while Kohli blended vintage aggression with modern control, dictating the pace of the chase with masterful precision.
Just as the finish line came into sight, Kyle Jamieson ripped the contest wide open. In a stunning burst of three wickets in 13 balls, he dismissed Kohli for a commanding 93, then removed Ravindra Jadeja and a well-set Iyer, suddenly dragging New Zealand back into a game that had seemed beyond them. India, once cruising, were left needing 59 from 53 balls with uncertainty creeping in.
Accordingly, Harshit Rana responded with remarkable composure under pressure, striking a vital 29 off 23 balls to keep the scoreboard moving, while a hampered Washington Sundar contributed through sharp running despite a side strain. With tension mounting, KL Rahul delivered the decisive blows, hammering Kristian Clarke for two fours and a six to seal the chase with six balls to spare.
Earlier, New Zealand’s 300 for 8 promised a stiff challenge but ultimately proved just short of par. Devon Conway (56) and Henry Nicholls (62) provided a strong platform with a 117-run opening stand, while Daryl Mitchell anchored the innings with a disciplined 84, accelerating late to push the total towards respectability. However, India’s seamers ensured New Zealand never fully broke free, sharing wickets at key moments to stall momentum.
Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana each claimed two wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav’s dismissal of Glenn Phillips halted a potentially dangerous surge. Despite late hitting from Mitchell, New Zealand were left with the sense of having been 15 to 20 runs short.
In the end, India’s depth and composure under pressure prevailed. Kohli’s near-century set the tone, Gill and Iyer ensured control through the middle, and Rahul’s calm finishing touch completed a chase that briefly flirted with chaos but ultimately showcased India’s resilience in high-pressure moments.
