Shreyas Iyer showered praise on Virat Kohli after the former India captain delivered yet another masterclass with the bat. Kohli's aggressive 93 off 91 balls powered India to a thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first ODI at Vadodara. The win came with an over to spare, despite a slightly shaky finish to the chase of 301 runs.
Kohli and Iyer Forge Crucial Partnership
Kohli shared two vital partnerships that set the foundation for India's successful run chase. First, he built a rapid 118-run stand for the second wicket with captain Shubman Gill. That partnership came in just 107 balls, showcasing their explosive batting. Kohli then added 77 runs off 76 deliveries with Shreyas Iyer, who was making a strong comeback from injury.
Iyer's Admiration for Kohli's Consistency
In a video released by the BCCI, Shreyas Iyer expressed his admiration for Kohli's innings. "Whatever we talk about his innings, it would be less," said Iyer. "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 himself played a crucial knock, scoring 49 runs off 47 balls in his first international innings since October 2025. He had suffered an injury while fielding during India's tour of Australia, which forced him to miss the subsequent home series against South Africa.
Kohli's Milestone and Aggressive Approach
Virat Kohli's innings was marked by his trademark aggression. He hit eight fours and a six during his stay at the crease. In the process, he achieved a significant milestone, becoming the fastest player to reach 28,000 runs in men's international cricket.
Kohli's purple patch continues since his retirement from Test cricket last year. His 93-run knock in Vadodara exemplified his current form. He eventually fell while attempting a big shot off New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell, narrowly missing out on his 54th ODI century.
Iyer's Joyful Return to the Squad
Shreyas Iyer expressed his happiness at returning to the Indian team after his injury layoff. "Great start to the series. Coming back after a while into the team, it feels great to be a part of this squad," he said. "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."
The victory gives India a 1-0 lead in the ODI series against New Zealand. Kohli's performance, combined with contributions from Gill and Iyer, ensured a comfortable win despite some late nerves. The team will look to carry this momentum into the remaining matches of the series.
