IND vs NZ 1st ODI: Virat Kohli is experiencing the same kind of 'pain' on the field as Dhoni did, and he spoke openly about it after the first ODI.

Posted on 12th Jan 2026 by rohit kumar

Team India's star batsman Virat Kohli played a brilliant innings of 93 runs against New Zealand in the first ODI, leading India to a 4-wicket victory. But after this win, Kohli mentioned a unique "problem" related to fan frenzy, a problem that MS Dhoni also faces.

 

 

Virat Kohli's fan frenzy becomes a headache!

In fact, when Rohit Sharma was dismissed at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, the entire stadium erupted in cheers as Kohli walked out to bat. Usually, there's a silence after a wicket falls, but the fans' enthusiasm was sky-high as soon as Kohli entered the field.

 

 

Kohli explained that this is exactly the same experience as during Chennai Super Kings matches in the IPL, where even after a wicket falls, the fans cheer so loudly at Dhoni's arrival that it becomes difficult to maintain focus on the field.

 

 

Jadeja has also expressed his displeasure

Ravindra Jadeja has also expressed his displeasure regarding this fan frenzy while playing for CSK. When Virat Kohli was asked about this after the match, he clearly stated that he doesn't like this behavior from the fans. According to Kohli, when a player is walking back after being dismissed, and the spectators cheer and celebrate at the same time, it negatively impacts that player's morale.

 

 

Kohli further added,

 

"To be honest, I don't like it. I understand it, but I don't enjoy it. The same thing happens with Dhoni bhai. It's not a good feeling for the player who is walking off after being dismissed. I can understand the fans' enthusiasm, but I don't think too much about it." - Virat Kohli.

 

 

However, Kohli also expressed his gratitude towards the fans. He said that he considers himself lucky. It's a blessing that he is able to do what he dreamt of doing as a child, and that his game brings smiles to so many faces.

 

 

 

India begins the series with a win.

In the match, New Zealand batted first and scored 300 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the stipulated 50 overs. In reply, the Indian team chased down the target with the help of Shubman Gill (56), Virat Kohli (93), and Shreyas Iyer (49), winning the match with one over to spare.

 

 

KL Rahul and Harshit Rana also played crucial innings of 29 runs each, guiding the team to a 4-wicket victory. Virat Kohli was awarded Player of the Match after the game. This was King Kohli's 45th Player of the Match award, setting a new record for the most Player of the Match awards in ODI history.

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