New Delhi, Nov. 4 -- India kicked off their five-match ODI series against New Zealand with a convincing five-wicket win in a rain-affected contest at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday (November 4). Virat Kohli smashed 74 off 51 balls, proving the difference as the visitors chased down a revised target of 143 under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. The innings came a day before the star player's 38th birthday. New Zealand had earlier been bowled out for 185 in 40.2 overs after India won the toss and elected to field.

Light rain had already delayed the match at the start. The decision paid off as India's pace attack, missing senior bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, kept the hosts under constant pressure on a surface that ...