Tom Latham and Ross Taylor shine as New Zealand beat India by six wickets

Tom Latham (103*) and Ross Taylor (95) raised a record 200–run fourth wicket stand to spoil Virat Kohli’s party as New Zealand won the first ODI by six wickets to take the lead in the three-match series on Sunday. (HIGHLIGHTS)

Former skipper Taylor and Latham, who had both issued warning about their form with sparkling centuries in a warm-up match, revived the New Zealand innings before guiding them to victory. New Zealand scored 284 for four in 49 overs. (FULL SCORECARD)

Virat Kohli had marked his 200th ODI with his 31st century – (121 – 125 b, 9x4, 2x6) – braving the heat and humidity after electing to bat first at the Wankhede Stadium. It took India to 280 for eight and gave them a fighting chance for victory.

The fourth-wicket double-century stand between Latham and Taylor off 187 balls – highest for New Zealand playing away – began in the 18th over after the Kiwis lost Martin Guptill (32) after a strong start, with captain Kane Williamson (6) and Colin Munro (28) dismissed in quick succession.

Soft-hand dabs for singles, sharp running between the wickets and some luck carried Taylor and Latham. The 150-run stand was completed off 152 balls, with only 44 runs coming in boundaries. In fact, the first six of the partnership was hit in the 44th over, but runs came quickly towards the end as India ran out of ideas.

KOHLI’S EFFORT IN VAIN

Taylor scored a 98-ball 95 with eight fours while Latham remained unbeaten on 103 (102 b, 8x4, 2x6).

The Kiwis played spoilsport for Virat Kohli and his team, after the Indian captain marked his 200th ODI with a gritty century.

Kohli waged a lone battle to score his fifth century of 2017 and 31st overall, which took him past Ricky Ponting in the list for most ODI tons. Kohli emulated AB de Villiers by celebrating his 200th ODI with a century.

India promoted Kedar Jadhav to No 4 but he managed just 12 off 25 balls. Dinesh Karthik’s 37 was the second highest score and his 73–run fourth-wicket stand with Virat Kohli helped India put up a challenging total.

BOULT BAGS FOUR

For New Zealand, left-arm paceman Trent Boult struck twice early and finished with 4/35 off his 10 overs.

Kohli’s effort seemed to have given India enough to tame New Zealand with the spin threat of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal looming large.

They gave away less than five runs an over, but could take only one wicket between them with skipper Kane Williamson (6) caught at extra cover off the Chinaman bowler.

READ | Ross Taylor, Tom Latham lift New Zealand vs India in 1st ODI

Colin Munro (28) and Martin Guptill (32) had provided New Zealand a strong reply, adding 48 by the ninth over. Munro was dropped by Kedar Jadhav at deep square leg, but the left-handed opener was undone by a roll-of-the-wrists delivery from Jasprit Bumrah that induced an outside edge.

Guptill fought bravely until he pulled a short ball outside off, which Dinesh Karthik did well to take at deep square leg.

The second ODI will be played in Pune on Wednesday.