1st Time In ODI History: Virat Kohli's 74 vs New Zealand Was Special, But The Record He Set Is Even Bigger

Virat Kohli played his first international match in over a month but showed no signs of rustiness. In fact, he was at his gritty best as India secured a victory over New Zealand in a rain-affected first ODI in Auckland. Kohli scored 74 off 51 balls, smashing 13 fours and a six. This was Kohli's 50th score of 50 or more in away ODIs, making him the first player to achieve the feat. Sri Lanka's former captain Kumar Sangakkara (45) has the next-highest tally, followed by Ricky Ponting (42). Kohli walked out to bat at No. 3 for India in the rain-hit first ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland and reached his half-century in just 35 balls.

Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill navigated repeated rain interruptions in a 113-run partnership on Wednesday that guided India to a five-wicket win over New Zealand under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the first of five ODIs.

Chasing New Zealand's modest total of 185, Kohli made 74 and Gill 37 as India reached a revised target of 143 in just 22.4 overs.

Kohli struck 13 fours and a six. The half-century was the 80th of his ODI career and his sixth score of 50 or more in 10 matches this year. His talent shows no sign of diminishing as he prepares to celebrate his 38th birthday on Thursday.

He was dismissed with India's score at 124, leaving KL Rahul and Naman Dhir to complete the chase with 56 balls to spare.

The first shower of the day delayed the toss by 20 minutes, and heavier rain returned when India were 56/1 in the 11th over. Rohit Sharma had fallen for a duck in the first over.

When play resumed, India's target was revised to 167 from 40 overs. The tourists moved to 64/1 before another 30-minute rain delay, after which the target was further revised to 143 from 32 overs.

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