- By Vishal Pushkar
- Mon, 12 Jan 2026 08:51 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs NZ: India vice-captain Shreyas Iyer made his much-awaited return to international cricket during the 1st ODI against New Zealand on Sunday. Iyer banked on his form accumulated during the Vijay Hazare Trophy group stage matches as he scored a 47-ball 49 during the chase of 301. He shared an important partnership for the fifth wicket with maestro Virat Kohli, which was instrumental on a track that helped pacers with reverse-swing on offer.
Kohli smashed a 91-ball 93, which earned him the 'player of the match' award. Reflecting on the masterful knock by Kohli, Iyer stated how the 38-year-old 'walks the talk' as he took on the bowlers during the innings.
India registered a four-wicket win and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series here on Sunday.
"Whatever we talk about his innings, it would be less. We have been seeing it for so many years now he's been doing it consistently. The way he rotates the strike and he takes on the bowlers, he basically walks the talk," Iyer said in a video posted by BCCI.
A fitting comeback 😎
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 12, 2026
An all-round impact 💪
A composed finish 😇
Shreyas Iyer, Harshit Rana and Washington Sundar sum up a clinical win for #TeamIndia 🙌 - By @RajalArora
🔽 Watch | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank https://t.co/x4rTWHIxIq
Iyer returned after a three-month-long hiatus following a spleen laceration with internal bleeding sustained during the third ODI against Australia in Sydney in October last year.
"Great start to the series. Coming back after a while into the team, it feels great to be a part of this squad. More than that, it was a great feeling to share the dressing room with each and every one. I was missing it for quite a while, but I am happy to be back," Iyer said.
Credit For My Batting Goes To My Father: Harshit Rana
Fast bowler Harshit Rana made an impact with the ball, dismissing openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls, before chipping in with a handy 29 off 23 balls down the order.
"The first wicket I took was of Nicholls. While I was planning to bowl wide to him but I hadn't thought of a wide yorker but it landed right. The other wicket was of Devon Conway and it felt great to scalp two wickets in two back-to-back overs," said Rana.
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The 24-year-old added that he is working on his batting to contribute more at No. 8.
"The credit for my batting goes to my father because he always used to think that all-rounders get early chances for playing in the Indian team. I am developing my game in such a manner that I can contribute with 30-40 runs for the team, coming at number 8," Rana added.