Virat Kohli once again showed why he remains one of the biggest attractions in world cricket, receiving a standing ovation from the Auckland crowd after playing a brilliant knock in the first ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park on Wednesday, November 4.
The Indian batting superstar scored 74 runs off just 51 deliveries, giving India a crucial contribution in their pursuit of the revised target.
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Kohli looked in excellent touch, combining his trademark cover drives and wristy strokes with an aggressive approach to keep the scoreboard moving.
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The Eden Park spectators stood up to applaud the former India captain as he walked back to the pavilion following his dismissal.
The reception was a special moment for Kohli, who continues to command admiration from cricket fans across the world, irrespective of the opposition. Kohli, who will turn 38 tomorrow, gifted this performance as a birthday gift to his fans.
WATCH: Virat Kohli Receives Standing Ovation In Auckland
The 37-year-old brought up his half-century in just 35 balls, registering his 80th ODI fifty. He also entertained the crowd with some spectacular boundaries and a six over deep square leg.
Kohli's partnership with captain Shubman Gill helped India recover after an early setback, with Rohit Sharma departing for a six-ball duck.
At the time of Kohli's dismissal, India were 124/3 in 19.4 overs, needing 19 more runs to reach the revised DLS target of 143. Gill also made a valuable contribution with 37 runs off 54 deliveries.
Earlier rain stopped play in the first ODI between India and New Zealand here on Wednesday with the visitors chasing 186 for victory.
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India dismissed New Zealand for 185 in 40.2 overs and were 54/1 in 10.5 overs when the downpour started.
Virat Kohli's standing ovation moment at Eden Park has become one of the memorable highlights of the opening ODI. Fans were cheering with their hearts out for their favorite hero.
India's Bowling Masterclass
With India's first choice troika of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna not available due to workload management and injury-related issues, it was the Punjab duo of Arshdeep (4/70 in 10 overs) and Gurnoor (3/44 in 9.2 overs), which took up the mantle of unsettling the Black Caps on a good Eden Park surface after Gill opted to field.