Vadodra witnessed a unique blend of international rivalry and franchise loyalty as the first ODI between India and New Zealand unfolded at the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) Stadium in Kotambi, on January 11, 2026. While the contest was a high-stakes series opener, a heart-warming moment involving Kiwi opener Devon Conway stole the spotlight, proving that some bonds transcend national boundaries.
Devon Conway reacts to thunderous ‘CSK, CSK’ chants at BCA Stadium
The atmosphere at the BCA Stadium reached a fever pitch during the first innings, but it wasn’t just for the home team. As Conway took his position near the boundary ropes, the Vadodara crowd erupted with deafening chants of “CSK, CSK!” The New Zealand veteran, who was a cornerstone of the Chennai Super Kings from 2022 to 2025, paused for a moment to acknowledge the affection. Despite being released ahead of the 2026 IPL mega auction and recently going unsold in the initial rounds, Conway’s legacy with the Yellow Army clearly remains intact.
Conway responded to the passionate fans with a warm thumbs-up, a gesture that quickly went viral across social media. During his tenure with CSK, Conway was more than just an overseas player; he was a big-match performer, most notably winning the Player of the Match award in the 2023 IPL Final. His IPL statistics, 1,080 runs in 29 matches at an average of 43.20 explain why Indian fans still view him through the lens of Chennai’s golden era. On the field, Conway showed no signs of distraction, anchoring the Kiwi innings with a solid 56 off 67 balls before eventually being cleaned up by a sharp delivery from Harshit Rana.
Here’s the video:
CONWAY💛CSK
Scene from today’s match at BCA Stadium, Vadodara@FarziCricketer @internetumpire @CricSuperFan @CricCrazyJohns @mufaddal_vohra @CSKFansOfficial https://t.co/hmKKnZsDCQ pic.twitter.com/nPlB0ELfZb— Suresh Reddy (@sureshsr772) January 11, 2026
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India overcomes late drama to secure a thrilling win against New Zealand in the opener
On the scoreboard, the match lived up to the hype of a 300-plus thriller. New Zealand posted a competitive 300/8, thanks to a formidable 117-run opening stand between Conway and Henry Nicholls (62), followed by a late-inning assault from Daryl Mitchell (84). India’s chase, however, was a masterclass in calculated aggression, spearheaded once again by the legendary Virat Kohli.
Kohli, who reached the milestone of 28,000 international runs during this knock, looked set for his 51st ODI century before falling for a majestic 93 off 91 balls. Alongside captain Shubman Gill (56) and Shreyas Iyer (49), Kohli put India in a position of absolute dominance at 234/2. However, the game took a dramatic turn when Kyle Jamieson (4/41) triggered a middle-order collapse, leaving India reeling and the Vadodara crowd in stunned silence.
The tension was finally defused by the calm presence of KL Rahul, who remained unbeaten on 29. Rahul’s composure under pressure, supported by a spirited cameo from Harshit Rana (29 off 23), ensured India crossed the line with four wickets in hand and six balls to spare. With this victory, India takes a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, heading to Rajkot with momentum and a reminder of the deep-seated IPL connections that continue to define modern cricket.
Also READ: Top 3 players with most Player of the Match awards in ODIs ft. Virat Kohli
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