Kohli slammed 93 off 91 balls with 8 fours and 1 six to help India chase 301 in the first ODI.
Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli continue his purple patch and delivered a match-winning knock in the first ODI against New Zealand at Vadodara on Sunday (January 11).
Chasing 301 to win, Kohli hit a composed 93 off 91 balls with 8 fours and 1 six, helping the hosts overhaul the target with four wickets in hand and an over to spare.
This was his seventh consecutive 50+ score in List A cricket since his return in October last year. During the innings, the 37-year-old also scaled 28,000 runs across all formats and became the second-highest run-getter in international cricket, surpassing Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara. Only Sachin Tendulkar is ahead on the all-time list with 34,357 runs to his credit.
Reflecting on Kohli’s recent prolific run, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said the star batter seems to be enjoying his game just like the old days.
"It looks like nothing is going on in his mind. You asked me what he has changed-he hasn't changed anything; he is just not thinking about anything. He made a decision that he just wants to enjoy his cricket. It seems like he is playing with the attitude of batting in his childhood, combined with the experience of so many years," said Ashwin on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin also showered rich praise on vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, who produced a fine knock of 49 on his return to the Indian team after recovering from spleen injury.
"We know that Shreyas has been Mr. Consistent for India in ODI cricket. His dismissal was very unlike Shreyas; he never leaves the game like this-he generally finishes it. But it is very understandable; he is making a comeback, and that was a good ball by Jamieson," he added.
With this victory, India gained a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The second ODI will be played in Rajkot on Wednesday (January 14).