Hamilton, Feb 5: Veteran batsman Ross Taylor slammed his career's 21st ODI century and guided New Zealand to a big four-wicket win over India in the opening ODI of the three-match series here at Seddon Park on Wednesday (February 5).
Chasing a big total of 348, the Blackcaps went about their business in the run chase exceedingly well as they reached home with 11 balls to spare. This was therefore, the second-highest successful run chase in the ODIs and at no stage in the run chase, New Zealand looked in much trouble. While they lost a few wickets in the death overs which once again brought back the haunting memories of defeats in the last three games of the five-match series between these two sides last week.
However, Taylor - who remained unbeaten on 109 in this game - ensured the hosts do not end up on the losing side in this game. Henry Nicholls and stand-in captain Tom Latham also struck brilliant half-centuries to help the hosts in the run chase.
Earlier, Shreyas Iyer slammed his maiden ODI century, KL Rahul's unbeaten 88 along with the exploits of Virat Kohli and Kedar Jadhav's cameo propelled the visitors to a respectable 347/4 in stipulated 50 overs.
Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal made their ODI debuts and gave the tourists a good start after being invited to bat first. The duo were dismissed in the first powerplay despite getting off to a good start. Despite not much assistance from the surface, the Kiwi bowlers ensured Indians do not post too big a target. In the end, the target of 348 looked ridiculously easy for the hosts.
Here's how the 1st ODI panned out:
Tom Latham | New Zealand captain: A great performance from the guys. It was nice to keep our composure at the end and get across the line. For us it was about building partnerships. The total was a litte more than what we would have liked to chase. But we managed to get off to a good start and keep wickets in hand. We saw how hard it was to defend with the left-right combination. It's nice to make winning contributions. The way Ross played was fantastic. We weren't quite where we wanted to be with the ball. So we got to improve and hopefully we will play the perfect game at Eden Park.
Virat Kohli | India captain: An oustanding performance from New Zealand. We thought 347 was good enough, especially after the start we got with the ball. I think Tom's innings took the game away from us. We were decent in the field, we dropped one chance. We need to improve though. I got to say that the opposition played better than us today. Both new openers gave us a good start, hope they continue to do the same. Shreyas's hundred was outstanding and KL was really good as well.
Ross Taylor | Player of the Match: It was nice to get across the line. Restricting them under 350 gave us a chance. We were fortunate with the left-right hand combination and we were able to target the short leg-side boundary. It's been a happy hunting ground for me. It was nice to be there at the end after I got out thrice towards the end in the T20 series.
And they've won!! New Zealand have beaten India by 4 wickets to take 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. Ross Taylor, Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls played brilliantly in the run chase. This is their second-highest successful run chase in the ODIs.
New Zealand reach 347/6 in 48 overs. They need 1 off 12 deliveries. Finally, their wait for a win will finally come to an end today
Scores Levelled!
Four! Santner gets a boundary off Thakur. They need 3 more to win
SIX!! Mitchell Santer pulls Shardul and gets a maximum. Both Shardul and Santner play for CSK in the IPL, Santner knows him well.
Bumrah concedes just 3 from his final over. NZ reach 334/6 in 47 overs. New Zealand require 14 runs from 18 deliveries.
Wicket! Colin de Grandhomme (1) is run out by Shreyas Iyer/Virat Kohli. He was responding to the call from Taylor to take a quick double but the throw from Iyer was accurate and all Kohli needed to do was dislogde the bails. NZ - 331/6 in 46 overs. They need 17 from 24 deliveries.
Wicket! Jimmy Neesham (9) hits Shami but fails to connect it well. Kedar Jadhav takes another well-judged catch in the deep. NZ - 328/5 in 45.2 overs. But Taylor is still out there. Only 20 is required from 28 deliveries.
100!! Ross Taylor slams his 21st ODI Century off 72 deliveries and in all probability this will end up in a winning cause. Remember he was given a a reprieve by the tourists when he was batting at 10.
New Zealand reach 311/4 in 42 overs. They require another 37 off 42 deliveries
Wicket! Tom Latham (69) departs as he's caught by Shami and Kuldeep gets a wicket. The century stand comes to an end, but the Kiwis are under cruise control in this run chase.
In 2017 when India played the opening ODI against the Kiwis at Seddon Park the hosts chased down the target comfortably. Tom Latham (103*) & Ross Taylor (95) stitched a 200-run partnership and gave the hosts a 6-wicket win. India had set a target of 281 which the hosts chased down comfortably.
300 up for New Zealand in the 41st over itself. The hosts are cruising and even Jasprit Bumrah isn't looking in his elements today.
0, 6, 1, Nb, 6, 4, 4! 22 runs came from that Shardul Thakur over and New Zealand reach 292/3 in 40 overs. They require another 56 runs off 60 deliveries to win. This looks like a cakewalk for the hosts.
Free Hit & SIX!! Ross Taylor is playing a marvellous inning here. Shardul is bowling another expensive over.
100-run partnership between Latham and Taylor. These two are bossing in the run chase and Indians are on the backfoot. NZ - 278/3 in 39.3 overs.
Latham has been sensational! Terrific from NZ to put up such a sterling show after being routed in the T20s and without Williamson today
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) February 5, 2020
Four! Captain Tom Latham brings up his fifty off just 38 deliveries.
Another big over from New Zealand's perspective. Taylor and Latham milked 15 from it. NZ reach 250/3 in 37 overs. They require 98 from 78 balls.
13 runs came from Mohd Shami's over. New Zealand reach 235/3 in 36 overs. They are cruising at the moment in this run chase.
Four, Four! Back-to-back pull shots from Tom Latham off Shardul Thakur and New Zealand reach 222/3 in 35 overs. Latham is playing a gem of an innings.
50! Ross Taylor brings up another fine half-century. He's faced just 45 balls.
SIX!! Tom Latham sweeps Kuldeep Yadav and gets a maximum. This also brings up 200 for New Zealand in the run chase.
SIX!! Ross Taylor ends the Shardul Thakur over long-on for a maximum. He's moved on to 48*.
Expensive over from India's perspective as Kuldeep concedes 11 runs from it. NZ reach 189/3 in 32 overs.
Wicket! Another sensational piece of fielding from captain Kohli and he runs out Henry Nicholls for 78. NZ - 171/3 in 28.3 overs.
Partnership between Nicholls and Taylor is worth 55 as NZ reach 164/2 in 28 overs. Kohli has introduced Jasprit Bumrah to get a breakthrough.
New Zealand reach 156/2 after 26 overs. India were 139/2 at his stage. NZ are going well in the run chase.