New Zealand vs India, 1st ODI: Date, Venue, Result & Key Performances

India made a winning start to the five-match ODI series in Auckland, beating New Zealand by five wickets under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in a rain-affected first ODI at Eden Park on 4 November 2026. Chasing a revised target of 143 in 32 overs after New Zealand were bowled out for 185, India reached 143 for five in only 22.4 overs, with Virat Kohli leading the chase with a fluent 74 off 51 balls. The result gave India a 1-0 lead and set the tone for the rest of the series, with the second ODI scheduled for Wellington on 7 November.

Match Overview

The match was shaped by rain, by disciplined Indian bowling, and by a calm, experienced chase. New Zealand, batting first, never quite found a partnership long enough to build a commanding total. Tim Seifert top-scored with 38, while Blair Tickner added a useful 34 lower down the order, but regular wickets kept the home side under pressure. Arshdeep Singh took four for 70, Gurnoor Brar claimed three for 44, and Player of the Match Anshul Kamboj returned the outstanding figures of two for 22 in a spell that changed the momentum of the innings.

India had already enjoyed success on this tour in the shorter format, and the way they closed out the chase underlined their confidence. Shubman Gill made 37 at the top of the order, giving the innings early direction, before Kohli took control with a measured yet attacking fifty. Even when Jacob Duffy struck three times to keep New Zealand interested, India stayed ahead of the revised equation and finished the job with plenty of overs to spare.

Date, Venue and Match Details

The first ODI of the series was played on Wednesday, 4 November 2026 at Eden Park, Auckland. Eden Park is one of New Zealand’s most famous venues, known for its short straight boundaries, lively crowds and its history of producing entertaining white-ball cricket. The match was part of India’s tour of New Zealand in 2026 and was the opening game of a five-match ODI series that follows the T20I leg of the tour.

Match Result and Scorecard Summary

New Zealand were dismissed for 185 in 40.2 overs. Seifert’s 38 was the highest score of the innings, and Tickner’s 34 gave the total some respectability, but no other batter was able to build a long innings against a disciplined Indian attack. Arshdeep’s four wickets broke partnerships at important moments, Brar’s three wickets kept the scoring rate in check, and Kamboj’s control earned him the Player of the Match award.

Rain then intervened and revised India’s target to 143 in 32 overs. That changed the shape of the chase: India did not need a huge total, but they still needed to bat sensibly and stay ahead of the DLS par score. Gill’s 37 and Kohli’s 74 off 51 balls did exactly that. Kohli’s innings combined timing, placement and smart running, and it ensured India were never under serious pressure, even after Duffy’s three wickets. India finished on 143 for five in 22.4 overs.

Key Performances

• Virat Kohli (74 off 51): The standout batting performance of the match. Kohli anchored the revised chase, found the boundary regularly and made sure India stayed ahead of the required rate.
• Shubman Gill (37): A solid start at the top of the order that set up the chase and allowed the middle order to play with freedom.
• Anshul Kamboj (2 for 22): Player of the Match for a superb spell of control and penetration that restricted New Zealand when they were looking to accelerate.
• Arshdeep Singh (4 for 70): The leading wicket-taker of the match, striking at key moments to prevent New Zealand from building partnerships.
• Gurnoor Brar (3 for 44): An important supporting spell that kept pressure on the home batters through the middle overs.
• Tim Seifert (38) and Blair Tickner (34): New Zealand’s main contributors with the bat, while Jacob Duffy’s three wickets kept the visitors honest in the chase.

Playing XIs and Squads Context

India’s bowling depth was the difference in Auckland. With Arshdeep, Brar and Kamboj sharing nine wickets between them, the attack covered pace, control and variation, and the fielding backed them up. New Zealand will need a stronger top-order contribution in Wellington if they are to level the series, because 185 was never likely to be enough at Eden Park once the target was revised. The home side’s bowlers, led by Duffy, did create chances, but they needed more runs to defend.

For readers following the whole tour, India sealed the earlier T20I series 3-2, as covered in our New Zealand vs India, 5th T20I result report, and the New Zealand vs India, 2nd T20I recap also showed how closely contested this tour has been. That context makes the ODI series opener even more significant: India have carried their winning momentum into the 50-over format.

Head-to-Head

New Zealand and India have a long and competitive ODI history, with matches between the sides often decided by small margins and by individual brilliance. Eden Park has witnessed several memorable contests between these teams, and this result adds another chapter to that rivalry. India will take confidence from winning away from home in difficult, rain-affected conditions, while New Zealand will know that a return to full-strength batting in Wellington could quickly change the series picture.

Pitch and Weather

Eden Park generally offers good pace and bounce for fast bowlers early on, with batters able to score freely once they are set, thanks in part to the ground’s short boundaries. In this match, however, the weather was just as influential as the pitch. Rain breaks forced the DLS revision and shortened India’s chase, rewarding the team that adapted fastest. Bowlers who hit the right lengths, as Kamboj did, were rewarded, while loose bowling was punished on a true surface. Teams in Wellington will again need to plan for changeable New Zealand spring weather and be ready for revised targets.

Where to Watch and What Comes Next

The ODI series continues with the second ODI on 7 November in Wellington, where New Zealand will look to bounce back and India will aim to extend their lead to 2-0. Fans should check their local broadcaster listings and official streaming platforms for live coverage, highlights and post-match analysis in their region, as rights vary by territory. With three more matches to follow after Wellington, the series remains wide open, but India have the early advantage and the momentum.

FAQs

Who won the New Zealand vs India 1st ODI on 4 November 2026? India won by five wickets under the DLS method, chasing a revised target of 143 in 32 overs and reaching 143 for five in 22.4 overs.

What was the score in the 1st ODI? New Zealand scored 185 all out in 40.2 overs. India scored 143 for five in 22.4 overs in reply to the revised target.

Who was Player of the Match? Anshul Kamboj was named Player of the Match for his figures of two wickets for 22 runs.

Who top-scored for India? Virat Kohli top-scored with 74 off 51 balls, supported by Shubman Gill’s 37.

When is the 2nd ODI? The second ODI of the five-match series is scheduled for 7 November 2026 in Wellington.

Conclusion

India’s five-wicket DLS win at Eden Park was built on disciplined bowling and a composed chase. Kamboj, Arshdeep and Brar restricted New Zealand to 185, and Kohli’s 74 ensured the revised target never became a problem. New Zealand showed fight through Seifert, Tickner and Duffy, but they will need a much stronger batting display in Wellington to stay in the series. For now, India lead 1-0 and have the early control of this five-match contest. Full scorecard and ball-by-ball details are available on Cricbuzz here: New Zealand vs India, 1st ODI scorecard on Cricbuzz.

Green Benn

Green Benn is a dedicated sports writer specializing in cricket, including IPL and international formats. Known for clear, engaging, and informative content, Green simplifies complex match analysis and player statistics for all readers. Passionate about sports storytelling, Green delivers reliable, SEO-friendly articles that keep fans updated and informed