In a nail-biting finish in the first ODI in Chennai, KL Rahul showcased a masterclass in composure under pressure, steering India to a tense four-wicket victory with an over to spare. His unbeaten 29* off 21 balls, highlighted by a decisive assault in the penultimate over, rescued India from a precarious position and ensured they chased down New Zealand’s formidable total of 300/8.
The foundation for the chase was laid by the top order. Captain Shubman Gill anchored the innings with a composed 56, while Virat Kohli turned back the clock with a vintage 93 from 91 deliveries, narrowly missing a century. A fluent 49 from Shreyas Iyer kept the momentum going, but when he and Kohli fell in quick succession, the game tilted towards the visitors.
India found themselves in a tight spot at 267/6 in the 46th over, with the required rate creeping up and an injured Washington Sundar at the crease alongside Rahul. The situation demanded calm heads, and Rahul provided exactly that. Starting cautiously, he judged the chase to perfection.
The turning point came in the 49th over, bowled by Kristian Clarke. With the pressure at its peak, Rahul exploded, smashing two consecutive fours followed by a towering six, effectively sealing the game. His late blitz, combined with a crucial 23-ball 29 from Harshit Rana lower down the order, took the pressure off and guided India home.
“We just wanted to take it deep. I knew if we could get it to the last three overs with wickets in hand, we could back ourselves. Sundar was struggling but he showed great heart, and Rana’s knock was incredibly valuable,” a relieved Rahul said after the match.
Earlier, New Zealand posted a challenging total thanks to a blistering 117-run opening stand between Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls. However, the Indian bowlers, led by their three-pronged seam attack of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana—who all picked up two wickets each—fought back brilliantly in the middle overs. Daryl Mitchell’s well-made 84 provided the late impetus for the Kiwis, but the total ultimately proved just short.
The victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, but it was a hard-fought win that highlighted both the depth of India’s batting and the never-say-die attitude of the New Zealand side. The hosts will be pleased with the character shown in a tight chase, while the visitors will rue not being able to close out the game after having India on the ropes in the death overs.
