NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli ruled the chase once again with a composed 93 off 91 balls while skipper Shubman Gill chipped in with a steady 56 as India laboured their way to a tense four wicket win over New Zealand in the opening ODI of the three-match series on Sunday.

Chasing 301 India looked well in control for most parts but the game took a nervous turn after Kohli’s dismissal in the 40th over. The hosts eventually crossed the line at 306 for six in 49 overs.

Kohli was cruising towards what looked like a certain 54th ODI hundred when he fell with India needing 67 from 66 balls and seven wickets still in hand. The sudden exits of Ravindra Jadeja and Shreyas Iyer soon after handed New Zealand a genuine opening.

KL Rahul held his nerve at the back end and stitched a vital 37 run stand with Harshit Rana before the finishing touches were applied alongside an injury hit Washington Sundar. A few dropped chances by the visitors also eased India’s path in the closing stages.

Kohli leads but Jamieson sparks hope

Kyle Jamieson played a key role in dragging New Zealand back into the contest. He dismissed Kohli with a sharp catch at mid-off to deny him a deserved century before removing Iyer with a clever off cutter and cleaning up Jadeja to finish with four wickets.

Despite missing out on a hundred Kohli reached another landmark by becoming the fastest player to 28,000 international runs. He now sits second on the all-time list behind Sachin Tendulkar after going past Kumar Sangakkara.

New Zealand’s total of 300 for eight always felt competitive but with Kohli batting in supreme touch it did not appear enough against an Indian side chasing at home.

From the moment he walked in Kohli was in complete command. He found the fence early and rotated the strike with ease. One flowing on drive off a planted front foot stood out as vintage Kohli.

He also took on young leg spinner Adithya Ashok without hesitation and rode his luck when an inside edge off debutant Kristian Clarke narrowly missed the stumps.

Kohli and Gill added 118 runs for the second wicket and went about the chase calmly even during a long boundary drought. Gill finally broke the shackles with a straight hit that nearly cleared the ropes.

Gill steady return after injury break

Gill took time to settle and brought up his 16th ODI fifty before cramps appeared to slow him down. A brief on field treatment seemed to disrupt his rhythm and he fell soon after attempting a big shot against Ashok.

The opener finished with 56 off 71 balls including three fours and two sixes and would take confidence from the knock after missing most of the South Africa series.

The chase had begun cautiously with Rohit Sharma providing early momentum before he fell for 26 attempting to take on Jamieson.

Earlier Daryl Mitchell anchored New Zealand’s innings with a fluent 84 off 71 balls after a strong opening stand between Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls.

Harshit Rana’s second spell shifted the momentum before Mitchell held the innings together and debutant Kristian Clarke added valuable late runs to push the total to 300 for eight.

(With PTI Inputs)