Evergreen Kohli's 74 steers India to 5-wicket win over New Zealand in rain-affected 1st ODI

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill navigated repeated rain showers in a 113-run stand Wednesday that led India to a five-wicket win over New Zealand under the Duckworth Lewis System in the first of five one-day cricket internationals.

Chasing New Zealand's inadequate total of 185, Kohli made 74 and Gill 37 as India reached a revised winning target of 143 in just 22.4 overs.

Kohli hit 13 fours and a six. His half century was the 80th of his career and his sixth innings of 50 or more in 10 matches this year. His talent shows no sign of diminishing as he prepares to celebrate his 38th birthday on Thursday.

He was out when India's total was 124, leaving K.L. Rahul and Naman Dhir to complete the chase with 56 balls remaining.

The first shower of the day delayed the toss by 20 minutes and more intense rain returned when India was 56-1 in the 11th over. Rohit Sharma had fallen for a duck in the first over.

When play resumed, India's target was recalculated at 167 from 40 overs. The tourists moved on to 64-1 before a further 30-minute rain delay, after which the target became 143 from 32 overs.

Kohli immediately went on the offensive, completing a century partnership with Gill from 90 deliveries.

“It's never easy when you are set and then it rains,” Gill said. "The wicket got a little bit more nippy after the rain but the target reduced and we were just trying to play normal cricket.

"I think the way Virat batted made things a lot more easy for us.

Gill elected to bowl on winning the toss and India produced a complete bowling performance to restrict New Zealand to 185. While there was the odd blemish in the field, the five bowlers all contributed as the home team was bowled out in 40.2 overs.

The New Zealand batters were unable to establish regular and substantial partnerships despite the short straight boundaries and fast outfield.

Arshdeep Patel took 4-70, his figures damaged by the forceful batting of tailender Blair Tickner. Gurnoor Brar claimed 3-44 and Anshul Kamboj returned 2-22.

Opener Will Young (9) survived an early chance before mistiming a pull shot and top-edging a catch to Shreyas Iyer off Arshdeep.

Henry Nicholls (9) also succumbed to the lure of the pull, hitting a ball from Arshdeep to Dhir at mid-wicket.

Tim Seifert made 38, then found the pull shot irresistible, mistiming his attempt to mid-off in the 15th over. Tom Latham scored 3 before falling to a sharp reflex catch by Brar off his own bowling.

Daryl Mitchell looked comfortable on his way to 28 but was run out when Glenn Phillips turned a ball into the leg side, set off for a single and Sharma's throw to Rahul beat Mitchell to the striker's end.

Phillips made 30 but the New Zealand middle order failed to fire.

No. 11 Tickner then blasted 34 from 23 balls, including four sixes, in a 39-run last-wicket stand with Jacob Duffy.

Sharma, Rahul and Kohli are among the stars returning to the lineup after bypassing the recent T20 series which India won 3-2.

See AP’s full cricket coverage here

Ground staff place covers over the wicket as rain stops play during the one day cricket international between New Zealand and India in Auckland, New Zealand, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (Joshua Devenie/Photosport via AP)

India's Naman Dhir dives stop field the ball during the one day cricket international between New Zealand and India in Auckland, New Zealand, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (Joshua Devenie/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's batsman Glenn Phillips dives to make his ground during the one day cricket international against India in Auckland, New Zealand, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

India's Virat Kohli, center, is congratulated by teammates after taking a catch to dismiss New Zealand's Nathan Smith during the one day cricket international between New Zealand and India in Auckland, New Zealand, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

India's Virat Kohli celebrates after scoring 50 runs during the one day cricket international between New Zealand and India in Auckland, New Zealand, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

CASABLANCA, Morocco--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 4, 2026--

Mastercard is supporting the launch of Samsung Pay in Morocco, expanding consumer choice through secure, convenient mobile payments. Enabled by Mastercard’s tokenization technology, eligible Mastercard cardholders at participating banks can use compatible Samsung devices to make payments, bringing together everyday convenience and built-in payment protection.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261104551424/en/

The launch builds on Mastercard’s work with financial institutions and technology partners to advance Morocco’s digital payments ecosystem. By extending its capabilities to Samsung Pay, Mastercard is broadening the range of payment options available to consumers and supporting the continued integration of digital payments into everyday commerce.

Samsung Pay builds on Mastercard’s established tokenization capabilities in Morocco. The technology underpinning these payments replaces sensitive card details with a unique digital token, helping protect payment credentials during transactions. Authentication and risk-based safeguards provide additional layers of protection, helping consumers pay conveniently and with confidence.

The launch also reflects Mastercard's global ambition to tokenize 100% of online transactions by 2030. Working with financial institutions and technology partners, Mastercard continues to make digital payments both more secure and simpler to use.

Mohamed Benomar, Country Manager of North West Africa, Mastercard, said, “At Mastercard, we believe the future of payments should give people more choice, greater convenience and confidence in every transaction. Supporting Samsung Pay in Morocco is another important step in expanding access to secure digital payment experiences, underpinned by our tokenization technology: Mastercard Digital Enablement Service (MDES). Beyond introducing another way to pay, our ambition is to make digital payments faster, simpler, and more secure.”

For consumers, Samsung Pay means paying with a compatible Samsung device, with no physical card needed for supported transactions. Participating financial institutions can extend an additional digital payment experience to eligible cardholders, while merchants accepting supported contactless payments can accommodate this additional payment option. Together, these capabilities expand choice across the payment ecosystem.

"With Samsung Pay, we want making a payment to feel as natural as using your smartphone or smartwatch. This launch marks another step in our commitment to providing Galaxy users with innovations that are simple, secure, and genuinely useful in everyday life. We would like to thank participating banks and Mastercard for their trust and collaboration, and we are proud to contribute to this digital transformation," said Hongseok Lee, President of Samsung Electronics Maghreb Arab.

Mastercard and Samsung will also roll out a joint campaign in Morocco to accelerate the everyday adoption of Samsung Pay, combining promotional activity with consumer education on how to pay simply and securely with compatible Samsung devices. The initiative aims to support the long-term growth of digital payments across the country.

About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)www.mastercard.com

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, digital signage, smartphones, wearables, tablets, home appliances and network systems, as well as memory, system LSI and foundry. Samsung is also advancing medical imaging technologies, HVAC solutions and robotics, while creating innovative automotive and audio products through Harman. With its SmartThings ecosystem, open collaboration with partners, and integration of AI across its portfolio, Samsung delivers a seamless and intelligent connected experience. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com

*Source:AETOSWire

(from left to right): Mohamed Benomar, Country Manager of North West Africa at Mastercard; Ahmed Rahou, Minister of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform; and Hongseok Lee, President of Samsung Electronics Maghreb Arab. (Photo: AETOSWire)