Kohli anchors India to victory

Bowlers set up India's comprehensive six-wicket win over New Zealand in the first one-day international as batting mainstay Virat Kohli anchored the hosts' chase in the low-scoring encounter in Dharamsala on Sunday.

The hosts, who were chasing a modest 191 for victory, rode on the 60-run partnership betwen Kohli (85 not out) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to canter home in 33.1 overs.

But it was the bowling led by debutant medium-pacer Hardik Pandya (3-31) and Amit Mishra (3-49) that helped topple New Zealand for a lowly 190 and set the platform for the big win.

New Zealand pacer Doug Bracewell checked India's brisk start after getting Rohit Sharma lbw for 14 after the batsman missed a fuller delivery while trying to flick it on the leg side.

Ajinkya Rahane did not last long after losing his opening partner as he was caught behind off James Neesham for 33, his knock laced with 4 fours and 2 sixes.

Kohli then put on 40 runs with Manish Pandey (17) as the duo looked to stabilise the chase at the picturesque Dharamsala ground.

SCORES IN BRIEF

NEW ZEALAND: 190 all out in 43.5 overs (Latham 79 not out, Bracewell 15, Southee 55; Yadav 2-31, Pandya 3-31, Jadhav 2-6, Mishra 3-49)

INDIA: 194 for 4 in 33.1 overs (Rahane 33, Kohli 85 not out, Pandey 17, Dhoni 21; Bracewell 1-44, Neesham 1-40, Sodhi 1-34)

Result: India won by six wickets.

Player-of-the-match: Hardik Pandya.