WATCH: CSK fever rises in India vs New Zealand 1st ODI, Devon Conway responds to chants at BCA Stadium

A unique blend of international rivalry and franchise loyalty was witnessed in the first ODI in Vadodara. The match between India and New Zealand took place on January 11, 2026 at the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) Stadium in Kotambi.While the contest was the start of a high-stakes series, the Kiwi opener also included a heartwarming moment devon conway It made headlines, proving that some bonds transcend national boundaries.

Devon Conway reacts to deafening ‘CSK, CSK’ chants at BCA Stadium

The atmosphere at the BCA Stadium reached its peak during the first innings, but it was not just for the home team. As Conway took his place near the boundary ropes, the Vadodara crowd started chanting deafening slogans ,CSK, CSK!” New Zealand’s legendary players who were the cornerstone Chennai Super Kings From 2022 to 2025, pausing for a moment to acknowledge the affection. despite early release 2026 ipl mega auction And having gone unsold in the recent opening round, Conway’s legacy with the Yellow Army clearly remains intact.

Conway warmly responded to emotional fans, a gesture that quickly went viral on social media. During his tenure with CSK, Conway was more than just an overseas player; He was a good performer in big matches, most notably winning the Player of the Match award in the 2023 IPL Final. His IPL figures, 1,080 runs in 29 matches at an average of 43.20, explain why Indian fans still look at him through the prism of Chennai’s golden era. On the field, Conway showed no signs of distraction, scoring a strong 56 off 67 balls to propel the Kiwi innings and eventually being dismissed by a quicker ball. Harshit Rana,

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India recovered from late dramatic developments to pull off a thrilling win against New Zealand in the first match.

On the scoreboard, the match lived up to the hype of a 300-plus thriller. New Zealand made a competitive score of 300/8 thanks to a tremendous partnership of 117 runs for the first wicket between Conway and. henry nichols (62), followed by a late attack Daryl Mitchell (84)India’s chase, however, was a masterclass in calculated aggression, led once again by the veteran Virat Kohli,

Kohli reached the milestone of 28,000 international runs During this innings, he looked set for his 51st ODI century before falling to the majestic wicket 93 runs on 91 ballswith the captain Shubman Gill (56) And Shreyas Iyer (49), Kohli put India in a position of complete dominance at 234/2. However, the dramatic turn of the game came when Kyle Jamieson (4/41) This led to the collapse of the middle order, leaving India in shock and the Vadodara crowd stunned.

Ultimately the stress is reduced by the calming presence KL RahulWho remained unbeaten after scoring 29 runs. Rahul’s composure under pressure, supported by a spirited cameo Harshit Rana (23 of 29)This ensured that India crossed the target with four wickets in hand and six balls to spare. With this win, India take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, heading to Rajkot with momentum and a reminder of the deep-seated IPL connection that continues to define modern cricket.

Also read: Top 3 players with most Player of the Match awards in ODIs. Virat Kohli