Kohli anchors India to 6wicket win over NZ
BOWLERS set up India’s comprehensive sixwicket win over New Zealand in the first one-day international as batting mainstay Virat Kohli anchored the hosts’ chase in the low-scoring encounter in Dharamsala yesterday.
The hosts, who were chasing a modest 191 for victory, rode on the 60-run partnership betwen Kohli (85 not out) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to canter home in 33.1 overs.
But it was the bowling led by debutant mediumpacer Hardik Pandya (3-31) and Amit Mishra (3-49) that helped topple New Zealand for a lowly 190 and set the platform for the big win.
New Zealand pacer Doug Bracewell checked India’s brisk start after getting Rohit Sharma lbw for 14 after the batsman missed a fuller delivery while trying to flick it on the leg side.
Ajinkya Rahane did not last long after losing his opening partner as he was caught behind off James Neesham for 33, his knock laced with 4 fours and 2 sixes.
Kohli then put on 40 runs with Manish Pandey (17) as the duo looked to stabilise the chase at the picturesque Dharamsala ground.
Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi had Pandey walking back to the pavilion as the visitors made a valiant attempt to make inroads into the Indian middle order.
But Kohli stayed firm to record his 37th ODI fifty in 172 games as the prolific scorer hit 9 fours and a winning six during his 81-ball stay at the crease. – AFP