In the first ODI against New Zealand, Indian captain Shubman Gill won the toss and chose to bowl. Despite a strong opening partnership from New Zealand, Indian bowler Harshit Rana created chances, including a dropped catch by Kuldeep Yadav off Nicholls in the sixth over. Both Nicholls and Conway were later dismissed by Rana after scoring half-centuries, having benefited from dropped catches. The article notes recent criticism of India's fielding standards.