Virat Kohli produced a masterclass at Eden Park on Wednesday, scoring a fluent 74 off just 51 balls that helped India to a comfortable five-wicket victory in a rain-hit first ODI against New Zealand. The
innings included 13 fours and a six and arrived in a revised 32-over chase of 143 after the hosts were bowled out for 185. It was Kohli’s 80th ODI fifty and his fastest on New Zealand soil. Coming in after Rohit Sharma’s early duck, Kohli combined caution with calculated aggression. He and captain Shubman Gill built a steady platform before the rain arrived.
Once play resumed, Kohli shifted gears, picking the short ball with authority and driving through the covers with trademark timing. A crisp pull off Blair Tickner brought up the half-century in only 35 balls, the crowd rising as the ball raced to the boundary. He put on a partnership with Gill of more than 100 runs.
Kohli continued until the 20th over, when he mistimed a pull off Jacob Duffy and was caught at deep square leg by Tim Seifert for 74. As he walked off, Kohli raised his bat high, acknowledging the standing ovation from the Eden Park crowd. It was his final appearance at the venue, and the gesture carried the weight of farewell. Fans and teammates stood as the 37-year-old soaked in the applause one last time in Auckland.
Virat Kohli 74-Run knock helps India beat New Zealand as Netizens flood Social Media with praise
On X, the reaction was excellent as the fans hailed the “King” for another chase special, with clips of the fifty celebration and the raised-bat walk circulating widely. Many called the knock a perfect birthday-eve gift, noting Kohli turns 38 on Thursday. Posts praised the strike rate of 145 and the way he dominated the short stuff that troubled others.
Other batters Virat Kohli https://t.co/PHcFXH4VSH
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 4, 2026
– Pitch was extremely difficult to bat on.
– Not a single batter scored a half-century.
– Indian Openers was dismissed for ducks in the first over.
– The ball was literally swinging in the air, with bowlers breathing fire.THEN VIRAT KOHLI ARRIVED & SHOWED EVERYONE WHO THE REAL GOAT AND SENA SPECIALIST IS! 🐐🔥
— Sam (@cricsam02) November 4, 2026
EMOTIONAL MOMENT IN AUCKLAND! 🥹❤️
The Auckland crowd gives Virat Kohli a heartfelt farewell, perhaps for one last time. WHAT A LEGACY!
#ViratKohli #INDvNZ https://t.co/ry6entTaHA
— Nirmoy (@NirmoySarm15806) November 4, 2026
👑🔥 THE KING GIFTED FANS A BIRTHDAY SPECIAL!
Virat Kohli smashes 74 off just 51 balls as Eden Park erupts in applause! ❤️🫡
A BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER FOR KING KOHLI! 🎂
#INDvsNZ #ViratKohli https://t.co/4PHlUyIDqN
— CricketIndian_🇮🇳 (@CricketIndian_) November 4, 2026
Actual match ek taraf, aur ye moment ek taraf…🥹💙
#ViratKohli https://t.co/934fUg6XVd
— Mverma_☆ (@AGN_Mv) November 4, 2026
There were also emotional tributes focused on the standing ovation and the sense that Auckland had just witnessed a final chapter. Plenty of clips of the bat raise went viral with comments such as “Auckland, you’ll miss him” and “pure class from the Eden Park crowd.” Fans also celebrated Kohli becoming the only batter with a 50-plus average in all SENA countries in ODIs.
![[WATCH] Virat Kohli takes stunning one-handed catch in the slips to dismiss Nathan Smith](https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/eBnmXkwvq2o0.webp)
