The Virat Kohli led Indian team have thrashed hosts New Zealand by 8 wickets in the first of the five-match ODI series at Napier today. After winning the toss, the Kiwis were blown over by the Indian bowlers. They were bowled out for a mere 157 in only 38 overs. India chased down the score with nearly 15 overs and 8 wickets to spare.
Clinical. #TeamIndia start off the series with a 8-wicket win against New Zealand in the 1st ODI. 1-0 ???? #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/P4lLKjoCvu
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 23, 2019
India vs New Zealand 1st ODI – As it happened
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat first. In only the second over of the match, the experienced Martin Guptill edged a Mohammad Shami delivery onto his stumps. His opening partner and destructive batsman Colin Munro fell to a brilliant Shami delivery the only couple of overs later.
Mohammad Shami’s amazing spell
They made 5 and 8 respectively. In the meantime, Mohammad Shami also became the fastest Indian bowlers to 100 ODI wickets. He reached the landmark in his 56th ODI while Irfan Pathan had achieved this feat in his 59th match.
Innings Break!
A clinical bowling performance from #TeamIndia and New Zealand are bundled out for 157 (Kuldeep 4/39, Chahal 2/43, Shami 3/19)#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/rfjIqv9zdk
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 23, 2019
Captain Williamson and the most experienced Kiwi batsman Ross Taylor tried to build up a partnership. The duo added 34 runs for the third wicket until wrist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal foxed Taylor. Taylor hit straight and Chahal grabbed a low catch. He made 24 (41). The right arm leg spinner got a similar wicket but this time of a left-hander Tom Latham (11). Part-time spinner with a magic arm Kedar Jadhav got a wicket that of Henry Nicholas (12). Kuldeep Yadav took a stunning catch.
Mohammad Shami came back for another spell and wrapped Mitchell Santner (14) onto his pads and the umpire took no time in giving him LBW. Captain Williamson had held up one end when the wickets were crumbling onto another. He too fell to the flight of Kuldeep Yadav. He made 64 (81) which included 7 boundaries. The Chinaman Yadav wrapped up the Kiwi tail that comprised of Doug Bracewell (7), Lockie Ferguson (0) and Trent Boult (1).
The Black Caps were bowled out for a mere 157 in only 38 overs. Williamson was the top scorer for the Kiwis. Kuldeep Yadav picked up 4 wickets and Mohammad Shami picked up 3 wickets for India.
India’s innings
5000 ODI runs for @SDhawan25.
He is the second fastest Indian to achieve this feat ?? pic.twitter.com/LhlKjvtBRc
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 23, 2019
Chasing a small total of 159, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma took India to a good start. Rohit Sharma made 11 (24) until Martin Guptill caught him off Doug Bracewell. Captain Kohli partnered Dhawan in the chase.
FIFTY!@SDhawan25 brings up his 26th ODI half-century off 69 deliveries #TeamIndia #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/a5tuBQnwTl
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 23, 2019
Interestingly, the match was interrupted due to the sun. The setting sun was directly in the eyes of the batsmen.
After play resumed, the match was reduced to 49 overs with India needing 156 to win. Captain Kohli fell 5 runs short of his half-century. He made 45 (59) with 3 boundaries. Rayadu joined Dhawan to give the final touches of the match. Dhawan made 75* (103) while Rayadu made 13 *(23). India won the match by 8 wickets and nearly 15 overs to spare.
This is India’s first ODI win in New Zealand against New Zealand after nearly 10 years. India now leads the 5 match series 1-0. The 2nd ODI will be played on Republic Day, 26 January.
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