Sportstar·India·Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 01:53 PM UTC

How Virat Kohli took on the short balls to anchor India’s chase against New Zealand in 1st ODI

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Kohli’s fluent knock was built on his command against short and back-of-a-length deliveries. Here’s a breakdown of his match-winning innings. | Photo Credit: AFP

Kohli’s fluent knock was built on his command against short and back-of-a-length deliveries. Here’s a breakdown of his match-winning innings. | Photo Credit: AFP

Virat Kohli was back doing what he has done throughout his India career — anchor a tricky chase for the team in a One-day International.

On the eve of his 38th birthday, he scored a 51-ball 74 to help India stay ahead in its chase of 186 on a two-paced pitch with extra bounce.

En route to his half-century, he became the first batter to score 13,000 ODI runs at No.3 in the batting order.

After former captain Rohit Sharma fell for nought, Kohli combined for a 113-run partnership with skipper Shubman Gill to take India close to the finish line. Despite wickets falling in clusters towards the end, the visitors comfortably completed the chase with 56 balls to spare.

On a deck where pacers relied on short balls, Kohli counterattacked, collecting majority of the runs through the legside.

On a deck where pacers relied on short balls, Kohli counterattacked, collecting majority of the runs through the legside. | Photo Credit: CricViz

Kohli’s fluent knock was built on his command against short and back-of-a-length deliveries. In this fixture, deliveries bowled at these lengths led to seven dismissals across the two innings.

The short ball in particular was a major threat, with pacers averaging just 13.5.

When facing pacers, Virat Kohli was most productive off the short-of-a-length and short deliveries.

When facing pacers, Virat Kohli was most productive off the short-of-a-length and short deliveries. | Photo Credit: CricViz

Kohli scored 38 runs off 21 balls against this length. His strike rate of 181 was the best for any batter on the day. He stayed back in the crease and used the pull shot to good effect, collecting 34 runs in 19 balls against the quick bowlers.

Initially, he took his time in the PowerPlay, striking at 116.7 despite the field restrictions. Once the field opened up, he struck four fours and a six.

Eventually, two big strengths of the evening proved his undoing. His dismissal ironically came from a shorter length delivery and off a botched pull shot, as he holed out to square leg on 74.

India’s lower order tumbled against short balls after his dismissal, but Kohli’s knock ensured the chase was done and dusted by then.

Published on Nov 04, 2026

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