NZ vs IND 1st ODI Review: A stunning century from Ross Taylor gets New Zealand the lead in the series

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Image Courtesy: photosport.nz/Getty

After a disappointing performance and whitewash by Team India in the T20 series, New Zealand has made a strong statement with a brilliant win in the first match of the One Day International series, as Ross Taylor put up a marvellous century. With four wickets in hand, the Kiwis comfortably reached the target set by India in the 49th over, securing an early 1-0 lead in the four match ODI series.

Image Courtesy: photosport.nz/Getty

Chasing a target of 348, Ross Taylor was the star of the show with his stunning 109-not out knock that earned New Zealand a swift victory in the first ODI today at the Seddon Park cricket ground.

With the skipper Kane Williamson not starting, Tom Latham had taken the charge of the Black Caps squad. Winning the toss and opting to field first, it was India’s turn to put up a hefty target for the hosts.

While ODI debutant Mayank Agarwal and returning Prithvi Shaw were moderate in the beginning, it was the trio of captain Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul that got Men in Blue the pace.

Virat Kohli scored his 58th ODI half century, while Shreyas Iyer achieved his first ODI century. The skipper scored 51 runs from 63 balls, while Iyer smashed his 103-off-107 with eleven fours and one six.

KL Rahul, who has been in tremendous form as India’s opener in the recent T20s, came down to fifth place in the batting order, but pulled the visitors to a total of 347, while keeping his strike at an impressive 64-ball-88, including three boundaries and six over boundaries.

Tim Southee picked up two wickets, while Ish Sodhi and Colin de Grandhomme each had a single.

Starting the chase alongside Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls kicked things off for NZ with a stunning knock of 78. While wicket keeping captain Latham impressed with a 48-ball-69, it was the superstar Kiwis run machine Ross Taylor who stole the show.

After a mediocre T20 series, Taylor showed his true form today as he put up a swashbuckling 109 runs from 84 balls, with ten fours and four sixes. His 21st ODI century came off just 73 balls, as the 35 year old Kiwis veteran kept his strike till the end of the chase.

Kuldeep Yadav picked up two wickets for India, while Mohammed Shami and Shardul Thakur both picked one each.

The second ODI is on this Saturday at Eden Park Stadium.

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