Virat Kohli scored 93 to lead India’s thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand after chasing down 301 in the first one-day international on Sunday.
On-song Kohli notched up his 77th ODI half-century but failed to make a ton as India were reduced from 234-2 to 242-5 before they got past the finish line with six balls to spare in Vadodara.
Skipper Shubman Gill hit a 56 in a stand of 118 for the second wicket with Kohli, who also combined impressively with Shreyas Iyer (49).
Late cameos from Harshit Rana (29) and wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, who hit an unbeaten 29 featuring the match-winning six, guided India to a series lead in the three-match series 1-0.
Trailblazing New Zealand pace spearhead Kyle Jamieson led the way with 4-41.
Kohli was at the forefront of the chase and he overhauled Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka (28,016 runs) to become the second highest run-getter in international cricket after Sachin Tendulkar (34,357).
Kohli, 37, is limited to only ODI cricket as he and stalwart Rohit Sharma, 38, have stepped out of T20 and Test cricket.
There was an encouraging start for Rohit in his attacking 26 before he became Jamieson’s first victim at the tournament.
Kohli was greeted by a thunderous roar from the packed crowd as the star batter joined Gill at the crease and began to counter-attack.
Assisting him well was Gill, who is back from an injury and a snub by the selectors for the T20 World Cup squad.
Gill was slow to start but picked up in style to bring his 16th ODI half-century before handing a catch, leg spinner Adithya Ashok the first scalp of the day.
Jamieson dismissed the batter caught out at extra cover to deny Kohli a ton. The former captain hobbled back to the bench to a standing ovation.
Jamieson removed Ravindra Jadeja for four off the same over and then bowled Iyer in the next to give New Zealand hope of a comeback.
Those problems only grew with injury to Washington Sundar, who bowled his off-spinners despite a reported side strain and batted at number eight.
New Zealand had batted first after the hosts won the toss, and made a competitive 300-8, with Daryl Mitchell scoring 84 to defy Indian bowlers.
Opener Devon Conway, who scored 56, and Henry Nicholls (62) combined in a 117-run opening partnership but New Zealand were hampered by the absence of substantial partnerships after their big stand.
Pace bowlers Mohammed Siraj, Rana and Praisdh Krishna claimed two wickets apiece.
The second game is on Wednesday in Rajkot.
It will be followed by five T20s in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.