[ad_1]
\n<\/p>\n
An unbeaten century from veteran batsman Ross Taylor powered New Zealand to a stunning four-wicket win over India in the first one-day international in Hamilton on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The hosts completed the second highest run chase in their history to finish on 348 for four and overhaul the imposing target set by India.<\/p>\n
It was a morale-boosting victory for the Black Caps, who went into the match as underdogs after a 5-0 whitewash in the recent Twenty20 series, when they repeatedly squandered winning opportunities.<\/p>\n
The roles were reversed at Seddon Park, with India posting a mammoth total of 347 for four after losing the toss, including a maiden century to Shreyas Iyer and half-centuries for skipper Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.<\/p>\n
But the tourists’ bowling attack failed to prevent a match-turning innings from Taylor, who scored a 73-ball century, his 21st in ODIs, and ended the match on 109 not out.<\/p>\n
He was supported by a quick-fire 69 from captain Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls’ hard-fought 78, although three late wickets gave India hope of rescuing the match.<\/p>\n
“It’s been a long time between drinks,” said Latham, whose side suffered a 3-0 Test series defeat in Australia before the T20 drubbing on home soil.<\/p>\n
“It’s nice to get over the line and we managed to keep our composure at the end and get there.”<\/p>\n
Kohli was gracious in defeat, saying India produced a “decent” performance that was not quite good enough on the day.<\/p>\n
“You have to say that the opposition played better than us because they were more intense,” he said.<\/p>\n
– ‘Special talent’ –<\/p>\n
New Zealand started their chase well, reaching 147 for two after 25 overs as Taylor and Nicholls developed a promising partnership.<\/p>\n
It took a piece of fielding brilliance from Kohli to break it with India’s skipper swooping on a stay ball and tossing it underarm with skill in mid-air to run-out a diving Nicholls.<\/p>\n
But Taylor continued his assault with Latham to take New Zealand to 292 for three with 10 overs remaining and the 35-year-old remained at the crease to hit the winning run.<\/p>\n
While Iyer’s 103 from 107 balls was the highlight of India’s innings, debutant opening batsmen Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw also performed solidly, bring up an opening partnership of 50.<\/p>\n
Iyer rode his luck at times — dropped on nine and 83 — but earned praise from VVS Laxman for the way he set about dismantling New Zealand’s attack.<\/p>\n
“I really enjoyed the way he paced his innings, a very mature knock,” the Indian batting legend said in commentary.<\/p>\n
Laxman’s praise for Rahul, who scored an unbeaten 88, was even more fulsome, saying the wicketkeeper-batsman had cemented his spot in the Indian side after recovering from a form slump.<\/p>\n
“He’s a special talent, I’d put him in the league of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli,” he said.<\/p>\n
The ever-reliable Kohli cruised to his 58th ODI half-century in a 102-run partnership with Iyer that ended when spinner Ish Sodhi clean bowled him on 51 with a deceptively flighted ball.<\/p>\n
It was a rare highlight for the New Zealand bowlers, whose inaccuracy proved expensive on the small ground.<\/p>\n
Tim Southee was the best performer with two wickets, but he conceded 8.5 runs an over taking them.<\/p>\n
The second ODI will be played at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n