The number three batsman scored 93 runs off 91 balls as India successfully chased down a target of 301, clinching a four-wicket victory in the opener in Vadodara with one over to spare.
Following opener Rohit Sharma’s dismissal for 26 in the ninth over, Kohli did not retreat into a defensive mindset.
Instead, he spearheaded a pivotal 118-run partnership with skipper Shubman Gill (56), exhibiting controlled aggression to push New Zealand’s attack onto the back foot.
“Well, the basic idea is I bat at No.3,” Kohli stated after being named player of the match.
“If the situation gets tricky, I trust myself to counterattack rather than simply navigating the circumstances because some deliveries are risky.”
Batting legend Kohli now primarily competes in the 50-over format. His remarkable performance on Sunday marked the 37-year-old’s fifth consecutive ODI score of over 50 runs.
Entering his 17th year in international cricket, he continues to evolve, emphasizing the importance of maximizing his impact within the first 20 balls once he steps in at first drop.
“There’s no benefit in waiting too long. However, it’s important not to play reckless shots. You should adhere to your strengths while also having the confidence to put the opposition on the defensive,” he explained.
“I felt that if I pushed hard during the initial 20 balls, we could successfully establish a partnership right after a wicket, like Rohit’s, when the opposition would be on the back foot.
“That actually turned out to be the key difference in the match.”
India will face New Zealand in the second ODI of the three-match series in Indore on Sunday.
