The BLACKCAPS chalked their first win in 2020 by recording their highest ever ODI run-chase of 347 to down India in game one in Hamilton.
Veteran Ross Taylor led the way with his 21st ODI hundred and found willing allies in opener Henry Nicholls (78 off 82) stand-in captain Tom Latham (69 off 48) as the target was hauled in with 11 balls to spare and four wickets in hand.
Ross Taylor cites the amount of experience in the ODI side as a key driver for our record run-chase at Seddon Park #NZvIND #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/67gvTGXx4J
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 5, 2020
Earlier Shreyas Iyer struck a maiden ODI century and the in-form KL Rahul blasted 88* off 64 to help India through to an impressive total after being asked to bat first.
Spinners Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi (1-27) proved demanding on a turning track and it was Sodhi who produced arguably the ball of the summer to claim the big wicket of Virat Kohli for 51.
As it happened...
Tom Latham has won the toss and has opted to bowl first at Seddon Park. Tom Blundell will make his debut as ODI BLACKCAP #196. Presented his cap by fellow Wellington keeper Luke Ronchi before play. #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/MFw8a4eAfo
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 5, 2020
Welcome to ODI cricket @TomBlundellNZ! In the thick of it early with a catch off Tim Southee's bowling to dismiss Agarwal. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/4X8QVMuuLb #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/dPUzw6y60X
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 5, 2020
25 overs into India's batting innings. Kohli 41* and Iyer 29* have their team 134/2 at Seddon Park. Southee and de Grandhomme with wickets so far. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/4X8QVMuuLb #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/cTfz8EjgBQ
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 5, 2020
35 overs complete here at @seddonpark! Sodhi with the wicket of Kohli but India are building well with Iyer and Rahul pushing the score to 199/3. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/4X8QVMuuLb #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/iwSPSu6k7D
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 5, 2020
35 overs complete here at @seddonpark! Sodhi with the wicket of Kohli but India are building well with Iyer and Rahul pushing the score to 199/3. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/4X8QVMuuLb #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/iwSPSu6k7D
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 5, 2020
India post 347/4 batting first @seddonpark. Iyer 103 and Rahul 88* the leading scorers. De Grandhomme, Southee and Sodhi with wickets. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/4X8QVMuuLb #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/wVXhZInwiU
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 5, 2020
India post 347/4 batting first @seddonpark. Iyer 103 and Rahul 88* the leading scorers. De Grandhomme, Southee and Sodhi with wickets. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/4X8QVMuuLb #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/wVXhZInwiU
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 5, 2020
Nicholls 69* and Taylor 25* have the score 147/2 after 25 overs at @seddonpark. Shami back into the attack now for India. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/4X8QVMuuLb #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/HhiAYKuND9
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 5, 2020
Ross Taylor has 50! Comes up off 45 balls in the 34th over. Tom Latham then finishes the over with a boundary. 210/3 after 34 now. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/4X8QVMuuLb #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/zv3lwcjung
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 5, 2020
Ross Taylor has 50! Comes up off 45 balls in the 34th over. Tom Latham then finishes the over with a boundary. 210/3 after 34 now. LIVE scoring | https://t.co/4X8QVMuuLb #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/zv3lwcjung
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 5, 2020
There it is! Ross Taylor hits the winning runs off the first ball of the 49th over at @seddonpark. 348/6 in the end with Ross Taylor 109* and Santner 12*. Scorecard | https://t.co/4X8QVMuuLb #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/7R7pOATTzW
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 5, 2020
“The platform we got up top was important & really set the tone. The way Ross played was fantastic.” - Tom Latham reflecting on our highest successful ODI run-chase #NZvIND #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/QuZginlJrB
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 5, 2020