NEW ZEALAND: An unbeaten century from veteran batsman Ross Taylor powered New Zealand to a stunning four-wicket win over India in the first one-day international in Hamilton on Wednesday.
The hosts completed the second highest run chase in their history to finish on 348 for four and overhaul the imposing target set by India.
India posted a mammoth total of 347 for four after losing the toss, including a maiden century to Shreyas Iyer and half-centuries for skipper Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.
It was a morale-boosting victory for New Zealand who went into the match after a 5-0 whitewash in the recent Twenty20 series.
Ross Taylor once again played a central role in the victory scoring an unbeaten 109 off 84 balls. It was his fourth century in five successful 300-plus chases.
???? No.21 for Ross Taylor ????
Can he take New Zealand all the way? #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/GhevXC3wDa
— ICC (@ICC) February 5, 2020
He was supported by a quick-fire 69 from captain Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls’ hard-fought 78, although three late wickets gave India hope of rescuing the match. Kohli was gracious in defeat, saying India produced a “decent” performance that was not quite good enough on the day.
New Zealand started their chase well, reaching 147 for two after 25 overs as Taylor and Nicholls developed a promising partnership.
Taylor continued his assault with Latham to take New Zealand to 292 for three with 10 overs remaining and he remained at the crease to hit the winning run.
While Iyer’s 103 from 107 balls was the highlight of India’s innings, debutant opening batsmen Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw also performed solidly, bring up an opening partnership of 50.
Kohli cruised to his 58th ODI half-century in a 102-run partnership with Iyer that ended when spinner Ish Sodhi clean bowled him on 51.
It was a rare highlight for the New Zealand bowlers, whose inaccuracy proved expensive on the small ground. Tim Southee was the best performer with two wickets. The second ODI will be played at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.
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