Virat Kohli made an unbeaten half-century as India beat New Zealand by six wickets in the second one-day international on Sunday. The 38-year-old anchored a measured chase after India's bowlers held the hosts to a below-par total. Kohli's innings came two days after New Zealand seamer Blair Tickner publicly singled him out as the wicket his side most wanted.

Tickner had told reporters before the match that dismissing Kohli was "an awesome opportunity" for New Zealand's attack. Kohli instead rotated the strike against the new ball and saw off Tickner's opening spell.

He then accelerated through the middle overs alongside Shreyas Iyer. He finished not out as India reached their target with more than five overs to spare.

India's seam attack set up the win by taking early wickets on a surface that offered lateral movement. New Zealand's middle order struggled to build partnerships against disciplined lines. Their innings fell away in the final 10 overs, leaving the visitors a manageable chase.

The result carried added weight for India's bowling group, which played its first international since Mohammed Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday. Shami's departure ends one of the most decorated careers in Indian fast bowling. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has been accelerating a transition towards younger seamers ahead of the next World Test Championship cycle.

For Kohli, who now plays only one-day internationals, the innings strengthened his case to remain central to India's plans for the 2027 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Shubman Gill, India's one-day captain, has repeatedly backed the senior batter's role in the side. New Zealand must now regroup quickly, with the remainder of the series still to play.