NEW DELHI: India underlined their reputation as the most formidable chasing side in world cricket after scripting history with a tense four-wicket win over New Zealand in the first ODI on Sunday. By overhauling a target of 301 in Vadodara, Shubman Gill’s side became the first team ever to successfully chase down 300-plus totals on 20 occasions in one-day internationals.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The landmark victory also gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and once again highlighted their depth and composure under pressure. Virat Kohli anchored the chase with a classy 93 off 91 balls, striking eight fours and a six, before falling just short of a deserved century. His knock laid the foundation for yet another memorable pursuit.
India’s chase was set up by a vital 118-run second-wicket stand between Kohli and captain Gill, who made a steady 56 on his return from injury. Kohli then added another crucial partnership with Shreyas Iyer, whose fluent 49 kept the scoreboard moving even as New Zealand searched for breakthroughs.
Teams with the most successful 300+ run chases in ODIs
- 20 – India
- 15 – England
- 14 – Australia
- 12 – Pakistan
- 11 – New Zealand / Sri Lanka
The chase, however, was far from straightforward. Kohli’s dismissal triggered a wobble as India slipped from 234 for 2 to 242 for 5, with Kyle Jamieson leading New Zealand’s fightback through figures of 4 for 41. With pressure mounting, late contributions from Harshit Rana (29 off 22 balls) and KL Rahul (29 not out off 21) proved decisive. Rahul sealed the win in the penultimate over, smashing two fours and a six to finish the chase with six balls to spare.India’s latest feat further extends their lead atop the list of teams with the most successful 300-plus chases in ODIs. England follow with 15, while Australia have achieved the feat 14 times. Pakistan (12) and New Zealand and Sri Lanka (11 each) trail behind.Kohli was named Player of the Match, earning his 45th such award in ODIs, moving closer to Sanath Jayasuriya’s tally of 48. The former captain also climbed to second place on the list of leading run-scorers in international cricket, underlining his enduring influence in the format.Most PoTM awards in ODIs
- 62 – Sachin Tendulkar
- 48 – Sanath Jayasuriya
- 45 – Virat Kohli*
- 32 – Jacques Kallis
- 32 – Ricky Ponting
- 32 – Shahid Afridi
Earlier, New Zealand posted 300 for 8 after half-centuries from Devon Conway (56), Henry Nicholls (62) and Daryl Mitchell (84). Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna picked up two wickets apiece.The second ODI will be played in Rajkot on Wednesday, with India riding high on yet another record-breaking chase.
