Rajkot (Gujarat) [India], January 15 (HBTV): Indian batting icon Virat Kohli became India’s highest run-getter against New Zealand in One Day Internationals despite managing only 23 runs off 29 balls in his first outing after reclaiming the number one spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings.
During the Rajkot ODI, fans had hoped the newly crowned world number one batter would extend his run of form with an eighth successive fifty-plus score in List A cricket. However, Kohli was dismissed for a 29-ball 23 by Kristian Clarke, an innings that included two fours.
With this knock, Kohli now has 1,773 runs in 35 ODIs and innings against New Zealand at an average of 55.4, including six centuries and 10 half-centuries, with a highest score of 154. He has moved past Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 1,750 runs against New Zealand in 42 matches at an average of 46.05, with five centuries and eight fifties.
Overall, Kohli is the second-highest run-scorer against New Zealand in ODIs. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting tops the list with 1,971 runs in 51 matches at an average of 45.83, including six centuries and 12 half-centuries.
With the series poised at 1-0 in India’s favour, New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first in the Rajkot ODI.
New Zealand’s playing XI comprised Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson and Jayden Lennox.
India fielded Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (w), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.
(ANI)