Cricket: Stopping Virat Kohli is top of Black Caps priority list

Virat Kohli is firing against the Black Caps, and they know stopping him is the key to keeping the five-match ODI series alive. Photo / Photosport

Stopping brilliant Indian batsman Virat Kohli is highest on New Zealand's priority list as they plot how to stay alive in the five-match one-day international series.

The Black Caps trail 2-1 following the seven-wicket loss in Mohali on Sunday, a game dominated by Kohli's majestic 154 not out.

The 27-year-old's 26th ODI century stole the game from the Black Caps, who held the upper hand early in India's chase for 286.

Kohli offered one early chance which was spilled by Ross Taylor off Matt Henry's bowling but otherwise relentlessly plundered the attack.

Seamer Henry says rather than get downcast about Kohli's ability, the Black Caps have put their heads together to find away to dismiss the matchwinner in game four in Ranchi on Wednesday.

"You've got to try different things with him," Henry said.

"The way he went about his business was quite impressive. We threw a lot at him and he kept coming back at us.

"It's obviously a big challenge but we've identified a few things we want to work on in this next game and hopefully we can get him nice and early."

Henry says the Black Caps' tactical meetings have had an extra edge throughout the a tour in which they lost the Test series 3-0 and have stuttered though the ODIs.

The range of pitch conditions had surprised him, requiring different techniques with bat and ball from game to game.

"It's challenged us in lots of different ways. We've had to try things you probably don't have to try at home," Henry said.

"Skill-wise it's been good and will probably be good for us in the long run."

Meanwhile, Henry was more upbeat about his batting after scoring an unbeaten 39 in an 84-run stand with Jimmy Neesham (57), a New Zealand ODI record for the ninth wicket. It was a continuation of some solid batting for his English county Worcestershire.

"It was nice to contribute. We do work hard in the lower order, usually just to chip in and put the icing on the cake at the back end of the innings."