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That's all we have from this contest! It was a high-scoring match but New Zealand scaled down a big target with 11 balls to spare. They have taken a lead in the 3-match series which makes the second ODI in Auckland a must-win for India. Do join us for that on Saturday, 8th February, at 1500 local (0200 GMT). Cheers!

New Zealand skipper, Tom Latham says that it was a great performance by the boys and it's been nice to cross the line. Adds that to have partnerships is always the key and the left-right combination helped them (during the century stand with Taylor). Mentions that to have wickets in hand helped them. On Ross Taylor, Latham says that he has done that for them time and again and it was a fantastic knock. Admits that their bowling is one area he is looking for improvement and hopes to achieve that in the coming games.

Indian skipper, Virat Kohli says that it was an outstanding performance by New Zealand. Adds that they batted outstandingly well. On their bowling show, Kohli replies that they were patient enough to pick wickets and got a run out as well. Admits that Tom Latham's innings took the momentum away from them. Credits the two batsmen (Latham and Taylor) for the way they batted. States that fielding is one area they were decent but it was not their best effort. Tells that the way New Zealand played, you have to admit that overall they were the better side. Praises the new Indian openers and hopes they will continue to do the same. Lauds Shreyas Iyer also for his knock under pressure and adds that KL Rahul was brilliant too. Considers these as positive signs. Feels that sometimes the results don't go your way but if you are playing good cricket, you are in good space.

ROSS TAYLOR IS THE MAN OF THE MATCH! Says that it's been an interesting summer for them and it was nice to cross the line. Mentions about the contribution of the top order and also praises the bowlers for restricting India under 350 which gave them a chance. Lauds Tom Latham for his batting and the way he targeted the short boundaries. Admits that Latham's knock made it easy for him. On completing 2000 international runs at Seddon Park, Taylor smiles and says that it's been a happy hunting ground for him. Hopes to put up a good performance in Eden Park as well. Shares that you try to not take the hangover of the last games and it was nice to stay till the end to finish this match.

India weren't too poor in the field but the dropped catch of Ross Taylor on 10 cost them the match. Their bowlers tried hard on a flat deck but the execution of the plan, especially when the pair of Taylor and Latham was batting, was not up to the mark. They would consider it as a rare off day at work and would look to bounce back in the second ODI. Stay tuned for the presentation...

What a scintillating knock by Ross Taylor! By no means, this was an easy chase. The Kiwi openers provided a decent start but it was not a quickfire one. The asking rate was quite high and the partnership between Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls didn't take care of it at all. The Men in Blue were on top till the run out of Nicholls and the landscape of this run chase took a complete turn once Tom Latham arrived in the middle. The southpaw batted against his nature and stroked a 48-ball 69. He punished the Indian bowlers in the middle overs and snatched the momentum away from them. Rosco also joined the party and bathed in the light of renewed energy that Latham brought to the crease. Together the pair amassed 138 runs off 80 balls and brought the chase on track. The wickets did fall after that but the presence of Taylor meant that the Black Caps always had the game in their grasp.

New Zealand finally taste success! They have broken the deadlock. The Kiwis came close to winning on so many occasions in the T20I series but failed to cross the final hurdle. But not this time. Ross Taylor was the culprit in the past but he made sure that he stayed till the end to see his side home. This is now New Zealand's highest successful chase in ODIs.

48.1

1

NEW ZEALAND WIN BY 4 WICKETS! Slightly short in length on middle, Taylor swings his bat across the line and sends it behind backward square leg. The fielder stops it from crossing the fence but cannot stop the batsmen from taking the winning run.

47.6

1lb

Rosco takes one on the body! Thakur surprises the batsman with a short ball. Taylor picks it late and then tries to duck. It brushes his left shoulder and goes behind to the keeper. Santner calls his partner for a quick leg bye. Scores are levelled!

47.5

1

A mistimed pull shot! Short in length around off, Santner camps back and mistimes his pull shot over the bowler's head. The mid off fielder cuts it off and they cross.

47.4

4

FOUR! 3 more needed! Fuller length ball around off, angling away, Santner gives it the full whack of his bat and drills it down to long off for a boundary.

47.3

.

Beaten! Slower one, on a length outside off, Santner pokes at it and misses.

47.2

6

SIX! Santner has nailed it! Thakur goes short and around off, Santner is on top of the bounce in a trice and pulls it emphatically over mid-wicket. 7 needed more!

47.1

1

Direct hit would have been curtains for Ross Taylor! That would have made this game very interesting. A length ball outside off, Rosco taps it down to point and attempts to steal a run right under Jadeja's nose. Sir misses his shy at the bowler's end and Rosco survives.

14 needed off 18 balls. Shardul Thakur (8-0-68-1) is back on.

46.6

.

Play and a miss! Back of a length delivery outside off, Mitchell once again pushes at it and misses. Top over by Bumrah, only 3 runs off it!

46.5

.

Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

46.4

.

Beauty of a delivery! A slower delivery, on the shorter side around off. It lands and grips as it cuts away. Santner pushes inside the line and misses.

46.3

1

Width on offer outside off, Taylor moves back and slaps it down to the right of third man for a run.

46.2

1

Bumrah goes short around off, Santner lifts his front leg and pulls it in front of square leg for a run.

46.1

.

Gets behind the line of the delivery and pushes it with soft hands to mid off.

46.1

1wd

Wide! Back of a length delivery angling down the leg side, Santner tries flicking but misses.

Mitchell Santner comes in now. To be part of another choke. Can he do something to stop it? Jasprit Bumrah returns. 9-1-50-0 so far.

45.6

W

OUT! Colin de Grandhomme is well short of the crease. Short in length and around off, Taylor gets on top of the bounce and pulls it all along the ground to deep mid-wicket. He wants the second run and Colin responds but very slowly. Shreyas Iyer sends in a flat throw to the bowler's end where Kohli collects the ball and breaks the stumps. He sets off in celebration as the on-field umpire goes upstairs. The replays spell the end of de Grandhomme. Are we in for a comeback from India?

Appeal for a run out! Virat Kohli is once again sure and runs in celebration. The third umpire is referred...

45.5

1

It's an attempted yorker on middle, de Grandhomme picks the low full toss his pads and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

45.4

.

Fullish and outside off, driven off the front foot to covers.

45.3

1

Slower delivery outside off, Taylor pushes at it and gets an inside edge. It beats the stumps and rolls towards fine leg for one.

Well, we have been in this scenario before, haven't we? The match heading towards a finish, New Zealand coasting through but stuttering towards the end. Will they choke one more time? Colin de Grandhomme walks in now.

45.2

W

OUT! Is there some twist in the tale? 20 needed off 28 balls. Shami delivers a length ball around middle and leg, Neesham attempts to send it over cow corner but gets more height than distance behind his shot. Kedar Jadhav moves across to his left in the deep and takes the skier safely. He's visibly disappointed on his way back.

45.1

1

Short in length on middle, Taylor takes his eyes off the ball as he tries to pull. It deflects off his helmet to fine leg and they cross.

21 needed off 30 balls. Mohammed Shami (8-0-58-0) is back on.

44.6

1

Yet another slower delivery by Bumrah, on a fuller length close to off, Taylor plays late and guides it to third man for a single.

44.5

1

Well played! Slower delivery, on a length around middle, Neesham picks it and opens the face of his bat to guide it behind backward point. They pick up a single.

44.4

.

Bumrah switches to 'round the wicket and spears in a very full ball on middle, Neesham digs it out back to the bowler.

44.3

1

Slower delivery induces a false shot! On a length outside off, Taylor pushes at it and the ball takes the inside half of his blade. It rolls towards square leg for one.

44.2

1

Angling down the leg side, it's nudged through square leg for one.

44.1

.

Fuller length ball around off, slower in pace, Neesham flicks it towards mid-wicket.

43.6

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 10-0-84-2, expensive Kuldeep has bowled out!

43.5

1

Driven towards the mid off region. They pick up a single.

43.4

1

Short and wide outside off, Taylor cuts it wide of point for a run.

43.3

1

Full and flighted around middle, Neesham mistimes his shot in the air and Kuldeep tries to get across to his left to stop the ball. Fails to do so and it travels to long on. They cross.

43.2

.

Beaten! This one goes straight on outside off, Neesham pushes inside the line and misses.

43.1

1

HUNDRED FOR TAYLOR! What a knock by the experienced campaigner under pressure! A wrong 'un on the shorter side around off, Taylor moves back and pulls it behind square leg for a single. Marvelous knock by Rosco, brought all his experience into play and has now put New Zealand on the cusp of a record win!

42.6

1

Taylor moves to 99! Fuller length ball outside off, Ross drives it through cover-point for one.

42.6

2wd

Two wides! Shami slips a length ball down the leg side, Neesham tries to flick but misses. Rahul fumbles and the batsmen cross to add more incentive to the bonus.

42.5

.

Slower length ball on middle, Neesham delays his shot and pushes it towards point.

42.4

.

Another bouncer, around middle and leg, Neesham ducks.

42.4

1wd

Wide called for height! Shami bangs in a short ball around off, Neesham tries to pull but it bounces over his bat. A stifled appeal for a caught behind by the keeper but nothing doing.

42.3

.

A length ball on middle and off, Neesham sticks back and pushes it with an angled bat to point. Wait is the call from Neesh!

42.2

4

FOUR! Lucky boundary for Neesham! Shami digs in a short ball around off, James tries to pull but the bounce gets big on him and it flies off the top edge. The ball falls in no man's land and crosses the fine leg fence. A needless diving effort there by Kuldeep, could have hurt himself in the process.

42.1

.

Shami begins with a short delivery outside off, Neesham leans back and sways away from the line.

Mohammed Shami is back for another spell. 7-0-50-0 are his figures so far.

41.6

1

Wrong 'un from Kuldeep! Around middle, Neesham gets forward to defend but it takes the inner half and rolls behind square leg for a run. 4 runs and a wicket from the over!

41.5

1

The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.

James Neesham arrives in the middle. Time to Unleash the Neesh!

41.4

W

OUT! Latham holes out but he has done his job here! Full and flighted delivery, landing outside off and spinning away slightly, Latham shimmies down the track and tries to pump it over long on. But it comes off the bottom part of his bat and flies straight down the throat of Shami in the deep. End of a fabulous knock and partnership for the Kiwis. 39 needed from 50!

41.3

1

Tossed up ball around leg, swept behind square leg for a run.

41.2

.

Flatter and a touch shorter on off, Taylor hangs back and helps it to mid-wicket. Straight to the fielder.

41.1

1

Full and flighted outside off, Latham reaches out for the sweep shot but fails to middle it. It goes off the bottom edge towards backward square leg and they cross for a run.

40.6

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 37 runs from the last two overs, 41 needed more off 54 balls.

40.5

2

Pitches it up and outside off, Taylor drives it through covers and collects a couple of runs.

40.4

1

Driven towards the mid on region. One run added to the total.

40.3

4

FOUR! Shami should have done better there! Short in length and outside off, Latham uses the angle of the bowler and runs it down to third man. Shami moves across to his left from third man, puts in a late dive and the ball goes through. Bumrah is disappointed with the effort.

40.2

1

On a length and close to off, Taylor taps it down to covers and crosses for a quick run. 2000 international runs at Seddon Park for Rosco! 300 comes up for New Zealand!

40.2

1wd

Wide! A length ball on middle and leg, angling down further, Ross tries to flick but misses.

40.2

5wd

FIVE WIDES! India are leaking runs. In full charity mood. Bumrah digs in a bouncer, Taylor allows it through. Rahul jumps to collect but it brushes his gloves and travels behind for a boundary.

40.1

1

Fuller length ball on middle and leg, it's been clipped through square leg for a single.

POWERPLAY 3 time. 5 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle, till the end.

39.6

4

FOUR! Poor, very poor bowling by Thakur. He continues to bowl short and wide, Taylor has no qualms in putting it away to the point fence. 22 from the over, the RRR has dropped under 6 now. New Zealand's game to lose from here.

39.5

4

FOUR! Streaky! Short in length and wide outside off, Taylor stands tall to slam it over point but it takes the outside edge and runs down to third man for a boundary.

39.4

6

SIX! A flat hit! Thakur overpitches it outside off, Rosco attacks it with all his might and spanks it over point for a biggie.

Free Hit loading...

39.4

1nb

Oversteps and bowls a no ball. Fullish and around off, Taylor drives it towards mid off. Thakur will have to bowl this one again.

39.3

1

Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total.

39.2

6

SIX! Latham has rifled it into the stands. A slower good length ball around off, Tom reads it early and dispatches it over mid-wicket for a maximum. That one travelled from the sweet spot of his blade. 100-run stand comes up!

39.1

.

Starts his new spell with a fuller length ball outside off, Latham reaches out for it and drives it slightly uppishly towards mid off. Kuldeep collects it and has a needless shy at the bowler's end but misses.

Shardul Thakur returns in action. 7-0-46-1 are his figures.

38.6

1

On a length and around off, Latham taps it down towards backward point and hurries to the other end as Jadeja attacks the ball. 78 needed off 66 balls.

38.5

1

Too full in length around off, Taylor knocks it down to long on for one.

38.4

.

A length ball around off, angling in, Taylor remains on the back foot and defends it near his body.

38.3

1

The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.

38.2

4

FOUR! Timing and placement of the highest order. Latham brings up his 16th ODI fifty! Short in length and outside off, Tom hangs on the back foot and guides it with fine timing to the third man fence.

38.1

2

Back of a length ball around off, Latham punches it through wide mid off and Kuldeep gives the chase. He slides in the deep to stop the ball and saves a couple of runs.

Jasprit Bumrah (6-1-22-0) is back into the attack.

37.6

.

Is that dropped? Not sure. Fuller delivery around middle and off, Taylor tries his reverse-batted sweep but fails to connect properly. It goes behind, Rahul reacts to his right but fails to hold onto the ball to his left. Not sure whether it kissed the bat or went over it.

37.5

4

FOUR! Conventional sweep and it's a boundary. Tossed up ball landing full around middle and leg, Taylor goes down and sweeps it fine down the leg side for a boundary.

37.4

3

Up and over the infield! Full and flighted outside off, Latham skips down the track for a big shot but it spins away slightly from his bat. As a result, the timing is not perfect. Still it loops over mid off and races towards the fence. Iyer chases it down and saves a run for his team.

37.3

2

Full and outside off, Latham gathers it from there and sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for two.

37.2

1

Fuller and on middle, Taylor reverse sweeps it towards short third man for one.

37.1

1

Goes on the back foot and punches it to sweeper cover for a run.

Kuldeep Yadav (7-0-65-1) is back on.

36.6

4

FOUR! Runs coming thick and fast, the Indian bowlers are looking clueless at the moment. Another slog sweep from the bat of Ross Taylor and it has gone flat over mid-wicket to find the fence. The RRR is now 7.53!

36.5

.

Flatter and shorter outside off, cut towards point.

36.4

6

SIX! Into the crowd! Taylor unfurls his favourite slog sweep. Fetches a full ball from around off and smokes it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

36.3

1

Charges down the track and helps it to mid-wicket for a single.

36.2

.

Skidding away from the batsman outside off, Latham tries to play late but fails to put bat on ball.

36.1

4

FOUR! Innovation! Flatter and fuller ball around off, Latham brings out the reverse-batted shot and nails it behind backward point for a boundary.

Ravindra Jadeja is back into the attack. 9-0-49-0 are his figures.

35.6

.

Very full in length around off, Rosco jams it out to point where the fielder misfields but the batsmen decide not to cross. 13 from the over and the Black Caps are in with a shout now.

35.5

2

A full toss around off, Taylor strokes it with good timing and it beats Kohli inside the ring at covers. The long off fielder runs across to his left to pull it back and the batsmen collect a brace.

35.4

4

FOUR! Smashed away! Poor bowling. Short and wide outside off, begging to be hit, Taylor latches onto it and smashes it through backward point.

35.3

1

The batsman guides it to third man. They pick up a single.

35.2

1

Shortish and around off, Taylor tries working it on the leg side but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It rolls near the surface on the off side and they pinch a single.

35.2

1wd

Wide! A bouncer which has gone well over the head of the batsman.

35.1

4

FOUR OVERTHROWS! But had Pandey (sub) hit, Latham would have been short. Shortish delivery around off, Rosco plays a mistimed pull towards mid-wicket and Latham eyes a single. He is sent back but would have been gone for all money had the fielder found the stumps with his throw. No one is backing that throw and the ball runs away to the cover fence. Bonus runs for the Kiwis.

Mohammed Shami (6-0-37-0) is back into the attack. 126 needed off 90 balls.

34.6

4

FOUR! Another short ball, another pull shot, another boundary. Latham is showing his hitting prowess. Shardul again dares to bowl a half-tracker at his pace, it's around off and pulled behind square leg for a boundary. 50-run stand comes up between the current pair!

34.5

4

FOUR! This is turning out to be a gem of an innings by Latham. He rides the shorter length ball after giving the charge and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

34.4

1

Edgy! Pitches it up and outside off, Taylor tries to blaze his drive through covers but it takes the outer half of his willow and runs down to third man for a single.

34.3

1

Width on offer outside off, Latham guides it to third man for a run.

34.2

1

Driven through mid on by the batsman. They pick up a single.

34.2

1wd

Wide! Thakur serves it on a shortish length but way wide outside off, Taylor allows it through.

34.1

.

Shout for a caught behind! The umpire stays still. Kohli has a chat with his keeper and bowler before turning down the option for a DRS. A 140 kph fuller length delivery outside off, Taylor tries to drive it through the line but fails to middle his shot. There is some sound as it goes behind to the keeper and they appeal. Nothing from the umpire and the replays later on finds that it was due to the bat hitting the turf. Good decision.

33.6

4

FOUR! Bang! Flatter and quicker around off, fuller in length, Latham dances down the track and hammers it to the long off fence for a boundary. 14 from the over and Yadav continues to prove expensive.

33.5

1

FIFTY! 51st ODI fifty for Ross Taylor! Yadav tosses it up in the air and gets it to spin away from around off, Rosco taps it down towards backward point for one. A valuable knock from the experienced batsman but his team needs him to last the distance.

33.4

1

Another sweep shot from Latham, this time in the gap at mid-wicket and he rotates the strike.

33.3

6

SIX! Against the spin but it has travelled the distance! Too full in length on middle, turning away slightly, Latham goes down on one knee and muscles it over square leg.

33.2

1

Nicely played! Flighted and full around leg, Taylor reverse sweeps it from the back of his bat towards short third man. They cross for a single.

33.1

1

Jumps down the track to take it on the full and works it through square leg for a single.

32.6

6

SIX! Boom! Thakur delivers a full ball around off, Taylor gets across the stumps a bit and heaves it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

32.5

1

Hangs on the back foot and guides a shortish delivery to third man for a run.

32.4

.

Play and a miss! Shortish delivery and outside off, Latham pushes inside the line and misses.

32.3

.

Back of a length ball around off, Latham tries glancing but misses. It takes his thigh pad and goes towards backward point.

32.2

.

Swing and a miss, once again by Latham. This time he gives the charge to a length ball outside off and tries to heave it over mid-wicket but misses. This is not Tom's game. He should look to rotate the strike and let Taylor do the hitting job.

32.1

.

Flashes and misses! Thakur offers width wide outside off, Tom throws his bat at it but only to get beaten.

Shardul Thakur is back for another burst. 5-0-27-1 are his figures so far.

31.6

1

Latham uses his feet on this occasion and forces a full ball down to long on for one. 11 runs from the over, New Zealand need many more like this one!

31.5

4

FOUR! Almost the action replay of the previous shot! Once again Kuldeep serves it slow and full around off, Latham kneels and sweeps to send it past the deep backward square leg fence.

31.4

4

FOUR! Latham finds the gap with his sweep shot! Kuldeep tosses it up around off and lands it full, Tom is down on one knee in a flash and sweeps it firmly behind square leg.

31.3

1

Slower through the air, a full ball on middle, Taylor paddles it towards fine leg and collects one.

31.2

1

Gets down on one knee to a full ball and sweeps it through square leg for a single.

31.1

.

Flighted full ball landing around off, Latham goes down and paddle sweeps it behind. Not much timing and the keeper runs across to his right to collect the ball.

DRINKS BREAK. The game has swung again. 170 needed from 114 balls. Taylor and Latham are known to forge partnerships but this one looks too difficult even for them.

30.6

1

Uses the angle of the bowler and runs it down to third man for a run. Tidy stuff continues from Bumrah.

30.5

.

Shortish and around off, Tom bottom edges his attempted pull shot towards mid off.

30.5

1wd

Wide! Good length ball down the leg side, Latham fails to get any bat behind it.

30.4

.

Identical to the last delivery, this time Latham tries to put bat to ball but it takes the outer half of his blade and rolls to point.

30.3

.

Beautifully bowled slower delivery. It's on a length around middle and off, cutting away after landing, Latham withdraws his bat from inside the line at the last moment.

30.2

.

Back of a length delivery around off, angling away with extra bounce, Latham leans back and allows it through to the keeper.

30.1

.

Slower one from Bumrah, around leg, Tom tries to flick but misses and wears it on his thigh pad.

30.1

1wd

Wide! A length delivery down the leg side, Latham tries to flick but misses.

29.6

1

Goes down on one knee and sweeps it through square leg for one. Much better over by the Chinaman!

29.5

1

Floated on middle, Taylor sits down on one knee for the paddle sweep and Kohli anticipates it from first slip. As soon as Rosco works it towards short fine leg, Kohli is on his bike. They take a single.

29.4

.

Leading edge! Once again Kuldeep bowls it slower through the air and gets some turn from the surface. Taylor attempts to flick but closes the face of the bat early. It takes the leading edge but safely goes to covers.

29.3

1

Flighted and full on off, Latham sweeps it through square leg and rotates the strike.

29.2

.

Beaten all ends up! Latham was completely at sea there. Kuldeep dishes out a googly and bowls it slower through the air. It lands and breaks back in slightly, Latham stands back inside the crease, probably waiting to play it with the turn but it spins back in and beats the inside edge. Not far away from the off pole.

29.1

1

Flighted ball on middle, turning back in, Taylor moves back and works it towards backward square leg for a run

Kuldeep Yadav returns in action. He has been expensive in his 4 overs so far, going for 36 runs but has picked one wicket too.

28.6

.

Fuller and on off, driven off the front foot to mid off. A successful over for India!

28.5

.

Tom has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

28.4

.

Good length ball outside off, angling away, Latham taps it down to point.

Tom Latham is the new batsman.

28.3

W

OUT! Fantastic athleticism shown by the Indian skipper and that has resulted in a run out. The set batsman is out of here and India have broken the nagging 62-run stand. Bumrah delivers a slower length ball around off. It cuts back into the batsman as Taylor attempts to work it on the leg side. It drops in the cover region off his thigh pad and they attempt to steal a leg bye. But Kohli is very active, anticipates the moment, charges towards the ball, picks it up and dives forward to score a direct hit. Nicholls also dives in but the Indian players are sure that Henry is short. The square leg umpire confirms it from the third umpire before giving the marching orders. 177 needed off 129 balls.

Direct hit! Kohli is pumped up. Is Nicholls gone? Referred upstairs and replays show that Henry's dive has not saved him! Big break for India.

28.3

1wd

Wide! Sliding down the leg side, on a good length, Taylor tries flicking but misses.

28.2

6

SIX! Dismissed! Not an easy shot to play against Bumrah. Taylor gives a little bit of charge and smokes a length ball over mid-wicket for a maximum.

28.1

.

Starts his new spell by angling in a full length ball around off, Taylor covers the line and blocks it back.

Jasprit Bumrah is back into the attack.

27.6

.

A length ball, outside off, Nicholls looks to defend but the ball sneaks in and goes between bat and pad.

27.5

1

Walks down the track and works it towards mid on for a run.

27.4

.

Outside off, a play and a miss.

27.3

1

A length ball, down the leg side, Henry looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. A single taken, no signal, must have been an inside edge.

27.2

.

That has gone a long way. The off cutter, outside off, Nicholls looks to steer it to third man but misses as the ball 'SPINS' away. Lands in front of the keeper.

27.1

1

A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.

26.6

.

Full and down the leg side, sweep shot attempted but missed. Hit on the pads and Jadeja appeals. Wonder why.

26.5

1

On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

26.4

.

NOT OUT. Full and outside off, Rosco tried another slog but missed. Rahul whipped the bails off and appealed. It was referred upstairs but replays showed that the foot, even though got lifted, was back in.

Stumping appeal referred upstairs. Looks safe, does Rosco. Is safe, as confirmed by the third umpire.

26.3

4

FOUR! CLOUT! Full and outside off, Taylor gets down and mows a slog sweep over mid-wicket and finds the fence!

26.2

.

Down the leg side, flicked towards mid-wicket.

26.1

.

Full and outside off, pushed towards cover.

25.6

4

FOUR! PRISTINE! Full and outside off, Nicholls leans and drives it between mid off and cover!

25.5

.

Full and down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket where Virat Kohli dives to his left and makes a stunning stop.

25.4

.

Landed outside off, pushed straight to point.

25.3

4

FOUR! That is played beautifully off the hips. Henry just directs it to the mid-wicket fence.

25.2

.

Outside off, played straight to point.

25.1

1

Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

Mohammed Shami returns. 4-0-25-0 so far.

24.6

1

That has been played off the back of the bat. The ball dribbles towards short third man. A single taken.

24.5

.

Full and on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

24.4

2

Full and outside off, driven past the man at cover for a couple.

24.3

.

Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

24.2

.

Outside off, punched straight to cover.

24.1

4

FOUR! All of a sudden, a stream of boundaries. Landed outside off, Taylor rocks back and cuts it late, past first slip and earns a boundary.

23.6

4

FOUR! That is short and outside off, Nicholls drags it wide of mid-wicket and finds the fence. 15 from the over!

23.5

2

Another paddle played, this time on the full, paddled through fine leg for a brace.

23.4

4

FOUR! Full and down the leg side, Nicholls paddles it to the fine leg fence.

23.3

.

Full and outside off, Nicholls looks to play the slog but gets a thick inside edge. Luckily for him, it hits the pads.

23.2

1

Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.

23.1

4

FOUR! Full and outside off, Taylor leans and drives it through the covers.

22.6

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

22.5

.

Around middle, worked straight to short mid-wicket.

22.4

1

Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run.

22.3

2

TOP EDGE, DROPPED! Lost it in the lights. Full and outside off, Taylor looks to slog but gets a top edge. The ball is high in the air and swirling. Kuldeep Yadav runs to his left from fine leg but then loses the ball in the lights. Stops a touch before resuming running. In the end, he is far from the ball and when he attempts the catch, the ball bursts through his fingers. Two runs taken.

22.2

.

This is 96 kph, but has plenty of flight. So, it arrives slowly and Rosco defends.

22.1

.

Ripper. Flighted outside off, coming in at 94 kph, then ripping away from the batsman as Taylor looks to defend. Beaten.

21.6

1

A short ball, another googly, skids through. Rosco looks to pull but the ball nearly goes through. Somehow, he pulls it away towards deep square leg for a run.

21.5

4

FOUR! Short and outside off, the wrong 'un, Taylor goes back and cuts it really late, past Kohli at first slip and finds the third man fence.

21.4

.

The googly, around off, pushed back to the bowler.

21.3

.

On middle, pushed back to the bowler.

21.2

1

Full and outside off, swept through square leg for a run.

21.1

1

Short and outside off, cut through point for a single.

20.6

1

Around off and middle, worked through mid-wicket again for one more.

20.5

1

The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single.

20.4

1

Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single.

20.3

.

Around off and middle, well defended.

20.2

1

Outside off, short in length, punched through point for a run.

20.1

1

Full and around middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

19.6

1

Nicholls survives a run out scare. Full and outside off, Taylor pushes it towards point and sets off for a single. But Nicholls is not sure. He takes a start and then stops. Seeing that, Rosco stutters and eventually, both batsmen are stranded in the middle of the pitch. Now, the batsmen start to run as Kohli gets to the ball from first slip. He has a split second to decide which end to throw at. Chooses the striker's end but he has to back-flick the ball. Does so but the throw is wide. Rahul reaches out, collects to his right and disturbs the stumps. The appeal is referred upstairs but replays show that Henry is in. Perhaps, if Kohli had chosen the bowler's end, Taylor would have been a goner.

19.5

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

19.4

.

Full and outside off, pushed straight to mid off.

19.3

.

Outside off, dabbed towards third man but first slip stops it.

19.2

.

The googly, to a new batsman, Taylor looks to defend but is comprehensively beaten.

Ross Taylor walks in at number 4, replacing Blundell.

19.1

W

OUT! STUMPED! Blundell departs now. Flighted beautifully outside off, the wrong 'un, Blundell gets down and looks to hit it through the off side but misses. Rahul is quick as lightning to whip the bails off and does not even bother appealing. Straightaway celebrates. The square leg umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show that while playing the shot, Blundell lost his balance and his foot got dragged out. Never came back in. Two quick wickets for India.

18.6

1

Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single.

18.5

.

Full and around middle, pushed back to the bowler.

18.4

1

Works this through mid-wicket for a run.

18.3

.

Full on middle, played straight to short mid-wicket. There is a rocket throw fired at the stumps to the keeper who does not collect. But it is backed up at short third man.

18.2

2

A short ball, around middle, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple.

18.1

1

Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single.

17.6

1

On middle and leg, flicked away for a run.

17.5

4

FOUR! Full and outside off, Blundell reaches out and drives it through the covers! 100 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND.

17.5

1wd

WIDE. Down the leg side, Blundell looks to paddle but misses.

17.4

1

Pushes this through mid on for a run.

17.3

4

FOUR! MISFIELD FROM SHAMI. Kuldeep is not impressed. Short and outside off, Nicholls punches it through the covers. Shami gets across to his left, sticks out his left leg but the ball deflects off his right leg back into the fence.

17.2

.

Outside off, short in length again, Henry looks to cut but the ball sticks on the surface and takes the bottom edge back to the bowler.

17.1

2

Short and outside off, cut through point for a couple.

Kuldeep Yadav comes on to make it spin from both ends.

16.6

.

Full and straight, Blundell looks to flick but gets a leading edge which goes on the ground straightaway, back to the bowler.

16.5

1

Floated outside off, driven through mid off for another single.

16.4

1

Carbon copy of the previous shot.

16.3

1

On middle and leg, tucked through mid-wicket for one more.

16.2

1

Down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.

16.1

1

Down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

15.6

.

Outside off, played straight to point.

15.5

1

Almost two in two! Full and outside off, Nicholls reaches out to drive but the ball takes the inside edge and goes past the leg stump towards fine leg! A run taken.

Tom Blundell walks in at number 3, replacing Guptill.

15.4

W

OUT! Upper cut played but it finds the man! Guppy goes. A short ball, outside off, Martin arches back and looks to play the upper cut. But he ends up hitting it much squarer than he intended to. The ball goes towards backward point where Kedar Jadhav covers good ground to his left and takes a nice catch. The 85-run opening stand is broken.

15.3

.

Down the leg side, played straight to short mid-wicket.

15.2

1

Landed outside off, played through point for a run.

15.1

1

Landed outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.

DRINKS BREAK. No wickets lost but New Zealand look way behind the 8-ball. The run rate is just shy of 6 while the required rate is creeping up towards 8.

14.6

1

Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run.

14.5

.

How did that miss the stumps? The arm ball, outside off, Martin looks to defend but the ball skids on, goes straight through, beats the bat and almost takes the off stump out!

14.4

1

The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single.

14.4

1wd

APPEAL FOR A CATCH, WIDED! Full and down the leg side, Nicholls looks to paddle but misses. Rahul appeals and seeing that Jadeja joins him. However, the umpire stretches his arms. India do not take the review. However, Ultra Edge later on indicates that there is a deflection as the ball passes the bat!

14.3

4

FOUR! Full and down the leg side, swept through fine leg for a boundary!

14.2

1

Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

14.1

4

FOUR! Tough luck for Thakur. A short ball, outside off, Guptill rocks back and punches it behind point. The ball almost trickles into the ropes but Thakur gets across from deep point. Slides and tries to stop the ball, but it rolls off his body. He slips and then tries to push the ball back but it rolls back into the ropes. He throws it back into play but the umpires check it upstairs and replays confirm the worst for the fielder.

13.6

1

A short ball, around off, dabbed to the off side for a quick run.

13.5

1

A short ball, down the leg side, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a quick single.

13.4

1

Around off, tapped beside the pitch for a quick one.

13.3

1

Outside off, tapped to the off side for a run.

13.2

1

Outside off, tapped through point for a single.

13.1

.

A short ball, around middle, Guptill looks to play the upper cut but misses.

12.6

1

Tossed up outside off, eased through mid off for one more.

12.5

.

Punched off the back foot by the batsman.

12.4

1

Full and down the leg side, swept through fine leg for a run.

12.3

.

Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

12.2

.

The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

12.1

1

Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

11.6

.

Played to the point region by the batsman.

11.5

1

The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot for a single.

11.4

2

Down the leg side, Guppy flicks it through square leg. The fielder in the deep dives to his right and keeps the batsmen to a couple.

11.3

.

A short ball, outside off, Guptill sways away.

11.2

1

A length ball, outside off, steered behind point for a single.

11.1

.

Full and outside off, driven straight to wide mid off.

10.6

1

Down the leg side, helped through square leg for one more. 289 more needed from 234 balls.

10.5

1

Outside off, pushed through point for a run.

10.4

1lb

Full and down the leg side, Henry looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. The ball dribbles towards square leg and a single is taken. Leg bye signalled.

10.3

.

Arrowed on the pads, Nicholls looks to flick but misses and is hit. There is a mild appeal for LBW but it is turned down.

10.2

1

Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single.

10.1

1

Down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Spin time. Ravindra Jadeja into the attack.

9.6

1

Full and outside off, Nicholls drives it wide of mid off for a run. 54/0 in Powerplay 1, India were 55/2 at the same stage.

9.5

4

FOUR! A short ball, down the leg side, Nicholls pulls it to the left of short fine leg! 50-RUN OPENING STAND IS UP.

9.4

1

Outside off, steered to third man for one more.

A man drops back to backward square leg now.

9.3

2

A short ball, outside off, Guptill looks to hook but there is extra bounce on this one. A top edge is induced and it flies in the air but there is no one in the deep. Two runs taken as the ball lands and then stops.

9.2

1

Landed outside off, Nicholls looks to guide it to third man but gets a thick outside edge to that region. A single is taken.

9.1

.

Full on middle, pushed straight to mid on.

Shardul Thakur returns. 1-0-6-0 so far.

8.6

.

Fractionally short outside off, slapped straight to cover.

8.5

.

Landed outside off, punched straight to cover.

8.4

1

Half volley outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

8.3

.

Outside off, on a length, Nicholls looks to drive but there is no feet movement and he is beaten.

8.2

.

Full and outside off, driven straight back to the bowler.

8.1

.

Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

7.6

.

The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

7.5

.

A length ball, around middle, Guppy looks to tuck but misses and is hit on the pads.

7.4

.

Outside off, a push and a miss.

7.3

.

A yorker outside off, dug out back to the bowler.

7.2

.

Full and around off, Guppy looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards cover.

7.1

1lb

A length ball, down the leg side, Nicholls looks to flick but misses and is hit on the shoes. The ball deflects away and a leg bye is taken.

Bumrah is back on.

6.6

1

Full and outside off, Nicholls drives it through the covers. Kuldeep Yadav fires a direct hit at the bowler's end and there is a run out appeal which is referred upstairs. Replays show that Henry is home.

6.5

.

Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

6.4

4

FOUR! CLUNK! A short ball, Nicholls pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary!

6.3

4

EDGED, FOUR! A length ball, outside off, Nicholls looks to run it down to third man. But there is extra bounce on that one which takes the outside edge. Flies past the diving man at wide slip, Virat Kohli and races to the third man fence.

6.2

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

6.1

1

A length ball outside off, Guptill looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge which flies down to third man. A single taken.

Change of ends for Shami. 2-0-14-0 so far.

5.6

3

Full and outside off, Guppy drives it through the covers where Prithvi Shaw misfields with a dive. The ball goes through and by the time it is retrieved, the third is taken. Interestingly, when the throw comes to Shardul, Guptill is home but Nicholls is just past the halfway mark. However, Thakur is not quite upto that fact and just keeps the ball in his hands. By the time he realizes, Nicholls makes it home.

5.5

.

Outside off, punched off the back foot.

5.4

2

Outstanding stop. Full and outside off, Guptill leans and drives it through the covers. But Virat Kohli gets across to his left from wide mid off, dives and half-stops it. Keeps the batsmen to a couple.

5.3

.

A short ball outside off, would have been another wide but Guptill throws his bat at it and gets an underedge to cover.

5.3

1wd

WIDE. Well outside off, left alone.

5.2

.

Outside off, punched straight to cover.

5.1

.

Landed outside off, fuller in length, left alone.

Shardul Thakur to bowl now.

4.6

.

The batsman has played it to the point region.

4.5

4

FOUR! Full and outside off, Nicholls leans and lofts it over cover for a boundary!

4.4

.

Short and outside off, Nicholls looks to pull but the ball takes the underedge and goes on the bounce to the keeper.

4.3

.

Outside off, a push and a miss.

4.2

.

The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot.

4.2

.

Flicks this straight to mid-wicket.

4.1

.

The batsman fails to put bat on ball.

3.6

4

FOUR RUNNING RUNS! A length ball, on middle, Guptill flicks it towards square leg. Mayank Agarwal dives to his left but the ball lands short. It bursts through his hand and reaches the ropes almost but Agarwal gets to it after the ball stops. Slides and returns the ball but the batsmen run all four.

3.5

1

Lazy from India. Nicholls works it straight to Ravindra Jadeja at short mid-wicket. He returns the throw to KL Rahul but the keeper is not ready at all. The ball goes to third man and now the batsmen take a single. Kohli is not happy.

3.4

4

FOUR! A length ball, around off, Nicholls walks across, looks to work it through mid-wicket but the ball nips in, goes of the inner half of the bat and escapes through square leg.

3.4

1wd

WIDE. This is on the other side. Left alone outside off.

3.4

1wd

WIDE. A short ball, down the leg side, Nicholls looks to pull but misses.

3.3

.

NOT OUT. Decision overturned. A length ball, around off, Nicholls looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. There is an appeal and the umpire gives it out after a delay. Not sure whether it is for LBW or caught as gully came across to catch. Nicholls has a chat with his partner and then reviews. Ball Tracker confirms it to be going over the top. In the first look itself, it is clear that there is no wood involved.

Given out LBW! Nicholls has reviewed it through. Seems pretty confident. Here comes Ball Tracker. Going over the stumps.

3.2

.

Stays behind and defends.

3.1

.

A length ball, outside off, Nicholls flays hard but misses.

2.6

1

The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.

2.5

.

A length ball, pretty straight, watchfully defended.

2.4

.

Short and wide outside off, Henry throws his bat at it but misses.

2.3

.

This time he drives but finds cover.

2.2

.

Landed on off, Nicholls looks to drive but misses.

2.1

.

Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

1.6

.

Brave leave. On a length outside off, Guptill shoulders arms. The ball comes in with the angle and just about misses off stump!

1.5

1

A length ball, outside off, Nicholls throws his bat at it but gets a thick outside edge through the vacant gully region to third man. A run taken.

1.4

1

Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.

1.3

1lb

A length ball, down the leg side, Nicholls looks to flick but misses. The ball goes off his pads to the leg side and a leg bye is taken.

1.2

.

The batsman defends it from within the crease.

1.2

1wd

WIDE. A length ball, outside off, Nicholls throws his bat at it but the ball swings a long way away and beats the outside edge. The ball almost goes to first slip!

1.1

.

A length ball, outside off, coming in, Nicholls looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads.

Mohammed Shami to bowl with the second new ball.

0.6

.

Landed outside off, left alone.

0.5

1

Direct hit could have had Nicholls. A length ball, around middle, Henry tucks it towards mid-wicket and sets off. Mayank Agarwal gets to the ball, looks to pick it up on the run and throw but misses his shy at the bowler's end.

0.5

1wd

ANOTHER WIDE. This one is down the leg side now.

0.5

1wd

WIDE. Well outside off, left alone.

0.4

.

Down the leg side gain, worked straight to short mid-wicket.

0.3

2

A length ball, on middle, tucked through mid-wicket for a couple.

0.2

1

A length ball, around off, Guptill looks to tuck it to the leg side but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. The ball dribbles towards backward point. Ravindra Jadeja gets across and casually under-arms his flick at the striker's end. The ball deflects towards fine leg and now the Kiwis run.

0.2

1wd

WIDE. Miles outside off, let through.

0.1

.

A gentle loosener. A length ball, outside off, left alone.

The players are back out in the middle. Jasprit Bumrah is already ready to bowl. Martin Guptill and Henry Nicholls are the openers. Guppy to face.

348 to win. 1-0 India? Well, they will certainly believe so. Stay tuned for the reply.

Poor bowling from the Kiwis. Not because they conceded close to 350. But because they conceded 27 extras. Ouch. 20 of those coming in wides and no balls. They never looked in control of the swing and let India get off to a flier. Then, they managed to exert some control but lost it once Rahul arrived. Everyone took a beating but strangely, Ish Sodhi did not get more than 4 overs.

India were going at just over 5 an over when Kohli fell but Rahul came out and just blazed the Kiwi attack. That infused some energy into Iyer who started to come into his own after a poor start. The duo added 136 for the 4th wicket, in just 105 balls which just took the game away from the Kiwis. Ahh... alright. Never judge a pitch till both sides have played on it. The chase is still to begin. But one believes that this partnership took the momentum away at least. Happy? Kedar Jadhav certainly made Indian fans happy as he played an unbelievable cameo of 26 from just 15 balls.

An innings which started like a runaway train, only to get derailed for a while. India raced to 50 without losing a wicket in the 8th over but then lost both openers in quick time. Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer then took control of the reigns, absolutely not fussed about the situation and got a 102-run stand. King Kohli was dismissed but Prince Rahul then arrived and totally changed the complexion of the game.

Commanding. Magnanimous. Huge. Massive. Sure, there will be words to signify large in English but let us stop it at that. From a position where India were looking at PERHAPS 300, they have ALMOST got to 350. 96 in the last 10 overs and the Kiwi bowlers have been killed at the death.

49.6

1

Terrific ball. A swinging yorker, on middle, but equally well played too. KL digs it out towards long on. Just a run. INDIA FINISH ON 347/4!

49.5

1

Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single.

49.4

1

A low full toss, outside off, Rahul looks to slog but the ball takes the inside edge, hits the pads and rolls to the off side. KL Is searching for the ball, looking at the leg side and stops halfway in the pitch. Then, he realizes where the ball is and resumes running. Bennett is not aware what Rahul is doing, else he could have gone for the run out at the bowler's end.

49.4

1wd

WIDE. This is massively far and Rahul himself signals a wide. Not good as per the match referee's books. Might book an appointment tonight.

49.3

.

Well outside off, KL leaves it. He expects a wide but the umpire does not signal it. Rahul is not happy but replays show that the ball is an off cutter, coming inside the guideline.

49.2

1

Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

49.2

1wd

WIDE. Another one way outside off, KJ throws his bat at it but misses again.

49.1

.

A dot ball. On a length, outside off, Kedar plays and misses.

49.1

1wd

WIDE. Jadhav comes down the track and Bennett bowls it extremely wide. Well outside off.

48.6

6

SIX! That is a terrific shot! A fuller ball outside off, Rahul reverse whips this over short third man and the ball goes all the way! 14 from the over, 34 from the last 2!

48.5

1

On middle, pushed through mid on for a run.

48.4

.

A leg cutter, around middle, Kedar looks to heave but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

48.4

1wd

WIDE. A slower bouncer, around middle, Kedar looks to hook but misses.

48.3

1

A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a run.

48.2

1

A short ball, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Cover drops back and fine leg comes up.

48.1

4

FOUR! That is just unplayable. Jadhav backs away to the leg side and Neesham follows him. It is a length ball on the pads, cramping him for room but Kedar lofts this inside out. Almost clears the ropes at cover!

James Neesham returns. 7-0-38-0 so far.

47.6

4

FOUR! 20 from the over! Full and outside off, Rahul reaches out and squeezes it behind point!

47.5

1

Full and outside off, Kedar gets across and drives it straight to Mitchell Santner at cover. KJ is disappointed with himself. Indicates to Rahul that he wanted to go straight again as it was in the slot.

47.4

4

FOUR! What a shot. This is a cameo of terrific proportions from Jadhav. 17 from just 7 balls. Full and outside off, Jadhav gets across and slams it down the ground. There is long off and he races to his right but cannot get there!

We have lost the ball...

47.3

6

SIX! CLUBBED! That is a terrific slog. Full and outside off, Jadhav gets down and mows a slog over mid-wicket!

47.2

4

FOUR! Gets it over! Full and wide outside off, Jadhav reaches out and lofts it over cover. The fielder leaps inside the ring but the ball goes over him to the fence behind!

47.1

1

Yorker outside off, Rahul looks to dig it out but the ball goes off the inside edge past the stumps to fine leg. A single taken.

46.6

.

Yorker, following the batsman down the leg side, dug out back to the bowler.

46.5

1

Drives this through mid off for one more.

46.4

1

A short ball, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a run.

46.3

1

Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single.

46.2

4

FOUR! Delightful! Rahul gets across his stumps, takes the ball on the full and laps it over short fine leg. Almost gets it over the ropes! Bounces just inside. 300 UP FOR INDIA!

46.1

1

Full and outside off, Jadhav backs away and slaps it through mid off for a single.

45.6

1

The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot for a single. 7 runs and a wicket from the over. Southee's figures read 9-1-65-2 so far.

45.5

1

Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single.

45.4

4

FOUR! Off the top edge. India won't care. A length ball, outside off, Rahul looks to slog this out of the park but gets a top edge which flies over the keeper to the third man fence!

Kedar Jadhav walks in at number 6, replacing Iyer.

45.3

W

OUT! Caught! Powerfully hit but straight to the fielder. Full and wide outside off, Iyer reaches out and carves it through the covers. But it is straight to Mitchell Santner at the ropes! Iyer cannot believe his luck. He trudges off but it has been one kind of an innings. Poor start but terrific acceleration.

45.2

.

Slower ball, fuller in length, wide outside off, Shreyas gets across and swings hard but does not connect.

45.1

1

Full and wide outside off, Rahul slices it straight to Ross Taylor at point. A meter here and there and it would have been a boundary. A single taken.

Tim Southee is back on. 8-1-58-1 so far.

44.6

1

The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. Great over from Bennett - just 6 from it.

44.5

2

Excellent running. Down the leg side, Rahul whips this through mid-wicket, calls for two and comes back running hard.

Change of bats for KL Rahul.

44.4

1

That is a full toss, on the pads, Iyer flicks it in the air and the ball nearly carries to deep mid-wicket. Falls just short of Tom Blundell running in. A run taken.

44.3

.

Excellent bowling. Bennett sees Iyer back away down the leg side and fires a yorker on the stumps. Shreyas just about manages to dig it back.

44.2

1

Full and straight, hit down the ground for a single.

44.1

1

Works this down the leg side for a single.

Hamish Bennett back at the death. Tough evening for him so far. 7-0-56-0 so far.

43.6

6

SIX! Beautiful hands! A full toss, around off, Rahul just swings with ease and the ball flies over mid-wicket! Would have been a terrific over for New Zealand but this big hit spoils it.

43.5

.

Full and wide outside off, driven straight to cover.

43.4

1

The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. One run added to the total.

43.3

1

Outside off, punched through the covers for a run.

43.2

.

That is a leeway for the bowler. A length ball, outside off, Rahul lets it go, thinking it will be a wide. But the umpire stays put. KL asks the umpire as to why is it not signalled a wide. But gets no favours. Replays show that the ball did go past the wide guideline.

43.1

.

Full and outside off, left alone.

42.6

1

Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.

42.5

1

MAIDEN ODI CENTURY FOR IYER! It has not been a gem of an innings. Yes, it has not been. He struggled at the start but then has accelerated. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for one more.

42.4

1lb

The batsman has been hit on the pads as he tried to sweep that one. One run added to the total. The umpire signals a leg bye.

42.3

1

Tossed up outside off, eased through the covers for one.

42.2

1

Full and on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run. Wow. And just like that, he has reached his half century as well!

42.2

1wd

WIDE. Down the leg side, Rahul looks to flick but misses.

42.1

.

Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

41.6

2

It's been driven superbly through the covers. They manage to come back for the second.

41.5

.

Wide outside off, left alone.

41.4

1

Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run.

41.3

1

The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. They pick up a single.

41.2

2

Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a couple.

41.1

4

FOUR! Full and outside off, Iyer throws his bat at it and gets a thick outside edge through the third man region. Past the man at short third man.

James Neesham is back on. 5-0-20-0 so far.

40.6

1

The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.

40.5

4

FOUR! Short and outside off, slapped through backward point for a boundary! The 100-RUN STAND IS UP AS WELL!

40.4

1

Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run.

40.3

1

DROPPED! That should have been taken. Full and outside off, Iyer lofts this down to long off. Colin de Grandhomme gets across for a sitter but cannot hang on! Costly. Shocker. A single taken.

40.2

1

Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a run.

40.1

2

Short and outside off, cut through point. The fielder races to his left and slides but fumbles. Two runs taken.

POWERPLAY 3 time. 5 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle.

39.6

.

Landed outside off, dabbed to short third man.

39.5

1

Short and outside off, cut through point for a run.

39.4

1

Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single.

39.3

4

FOUR! Majestic shot. A length ball, outside off, Iyer lofts it beautifully over covers for a boundary!

39.3

1wd

WIDE. Landed outside off, left alone.

Running repairs for Shreyas Iyer. The left elbow is causing him problems. The physio comes out again.

39.2

4

FOUR! Cheeky! A short ball, outside off, Iyer arches back and deftly guides it over the keeper to the fence behind!

39.1

4

FOUR! Beautifully whipped away! Yes, two contrasting adjectives but we need to use those. Full and on middle, Iyer plays a beautiful whip. But the timing is exquisite and the ball races to the mid-wicket fence.

38.6

.

The batsman defends it from within the crease.

38.5

.

Full and around middle, watchfully blocked out.

38.4

.

Arrowed on the pads, worked straight to short mid-wicket.

38.3

1

Fractionally short, outside off, cut to point for a run.

38.2

1

Floated around middle, eased down to long off for a single.

38.1

.

Short and outside off, punched straight to point.

37.6

1

A length ball again, slower in pace, tucked through square leg for a run. 14 from the over, 27 from the last 2!

37.5

6

SIX! CLOBBERED! A length ball, outside off, Rahul swings it over mid-wicket for half a dozen!

37.4

6

SIX! High and handsome! A length ball, outside off, Rahul comes forward, leans into this one and lofts it over long off!

37.3

1

Played to the point region by the batsman. One run added to the total.

37.2

.

Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on.

37.1

.

Around off, punched towards point.

Tim Southee is back on. 6-1-29-1 so far.

36.6

1

The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.

36.5

3

Full and down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for three.

36.5

5wd

FIVE WIDES! Down the leg side, Rahul misses his sweep and the ball goes past the keeper to the fine leg fence.

36.4

1

Landed outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.

36.3

1lb

The batsman appears to have been struck on the thigh pad. The batsmen have run through for a single. Leg bye given by the umpire.

36.2

1

Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a run.

36.1

1

Short and outside off, cut through point for a single.

Mitchell Santner returns. 6-0-29-0 so far.

35.6

.

A bouncer now on middle, Shreyas ducks.

35.5

.

A length ball, outside off, Iyer looks to play the upper cut but misses.

35.4

6

SIX! Up and over! Both the batsmen are teeing off here. Full and around middle, Iyer comes down the track and lofts it over long on! The 50-run stand is up now.

35.4

1wd

WIDE. A bouncer now, a bit too high, ducked under.

35.3

.

Around off, defended watchfully.

35.2

1

Full and outside off, played through point for a single.

35.1

.

Around off, defended back to the bowler.

A slight interruption. The physio is out in the middle. Iyer is having his left forearm tended to.

34.6

.

Landed outside off, played straight to point.

34.5

1

Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single.

34.4

.

Full and around middle, whipped back to the bowler.

34.3

6

SIX! Consecutive maximums! Floated on middle, Rahul swings this over long on and gets another biggie!

34.2

6

SIX! Is this the time to change gears? India certainly feel so. Full and outside off, Rahul comes down the track and lofts it as clean as a whistle over long off!

34.1

1

Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single.

33.6

3

Full and outside off, Shreyas eases it through the covers. The ball is stopped, thanks to a dive from the man sweeping the ball to his right at the boundary. Three runs taken.

33.5

4

FOUR! That will be a boundary. Short and outside off, Iyer throws the bat at it and gets a bit of an outside edge. The ball races to the third man fence.

33.4

.

Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

33.3

.

Full and straight, pushed towards mid on.

33.2

.

Full and outside off, pushed straight to mid off.

33.1

1

Short and wide outside off, slapped through the covers for a single.

Hamish Bennett to start the first over after the second Drinks break. 5-0-40-0 so far.

DRINKS BREAK. India cruising through. They lost their way a little bit after a quickfire start but Kohli and Iyer got the innings back on track. 17 overs left and with hitters to come, they will aim for at least 300 from here. Possibly more, if a set batsman stays till the end.

32.6

.

Pushed through quicker outside off, watchfully kept out.

32.5

1

Full again, floated outside off, pushed through mid off for one more.

32.4

1

Full and outside off, driven through mid off for another single.

32.3

1

Floated outside off, eased through the covers for one more.

32.2

1

HALF CENTURY FOR SHREYAS IYER. Short and outside off, Iyer rocks back and cuts it through the covers for a run. Did not look settled early on but has matured with time. With Kohli not around, Iyer will aim to bat through till the end of the innings. Might perhaps change gears too.

32.1

1

Googly, on middle, Rahul leans and flicks this through mid-wicket for a single.

31.6

1

Short and outside off, Rahul slaps it through the covers for one more. A dot, followed by 5 singles.

31.5

1

A short ball, around middle, punched down to long on for another single.

31.4

1

Action replay of the previous delivery as Rahul does what his partner does. Punch through mid-wicket for one.

31.3

1

A touch short, arrowed on the pads, worked through mid-wicket for a run again.

31.2

1

Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single.

31.1

.

Around off, blocked from the crease.

30.6

.

The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

30.5

1

Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for one more.

30.4

1

Down the leg side, worked through mid-wicket for a run.

30.3

1

Full and outside off, eased down to long off for a single.

30.2

1

Short and outside off, real hit-me ball, Iyer cuts but finds sweeper cover. Just a run taken.

30.1

1

Down the leg side, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

29.6

4

FOUR! Fine way to end the over. Short and outside off, Iyer rocks back and cuts it to the right of short third man for a boundary!

29.5

1

Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run.

29.4

.

Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

29.3

.

Around off, watchfully defended.

29.2

.

Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

29.1

1

Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

28.6

.

The batsman defends it from within the crease.

28.5

.

Short and outside off, punched off the back foot.

KL Rahul walks in at number 5, replacing his skipper.

28.4

W

OUT! BOWLED! Done in by the googly. This is outside off, Kohli lunges to defend but does not pick the wrong 'un. There is a bit of a gap between bat and pad and the ball goes through the gap and hits the leg stump. Kohli looks stunned. Most batsmen do, when they get beaten. Kuldeep would be licking his lips.

28.3

1

Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single.

28.2

2

Short and outside off, cut through the covers for a couple. 100-RUN STAND IS UP! The pair will now look to accelerate.

28.1

.

Short and outside off, punched back to the bowler.

Ish Sodhi into the attack now. Pretty late, eh?

27.6

1

Full and outside off, driven through the covers for one more.

27.5

.

Full and outside off, Iyer goes on the back foot and mistimes his punch back to the bowler.

27.4

1

Tossed up again, eased through the covers for one more.

27.3

1

Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run.

27.2

1

58TH ODI 50 FOR KOHLI! Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single.

27.1

.

Landed outside off, played straight to point.

26.6

4

FOUR! Slashed away. Short and wide outside off, Iyer lashes out the cut and gets a thick outside edge. There is third man and he moves to his left but cannot get there. 10 from the over, Bennett has gone for 40 in his 5 overs.

26.5

1

Landed outside off, a touch short, extra bounce, Kohli rides the bounce and guides it behind point for a single.

26.4

.

Fullish, around middle, pushed towards mid on.

26.4

1wd

WIDE. A slower bouncer, around middle, Kohli ducks.

26.3

.

Punched off the back foot by the batsman.

26.2

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended.

26.1

4

FOUR! PRISTINE! That is simply gorgeous. Half volley outside off, Kohli leans and drives it through the covers.

25.6

.

Short and around off, punched towards cover.

25.5

1

The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. They pick up a single.

25.4

1

The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.

25.3

1

Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run.

25.2

1

This is flicked through mid-wicket for a run.

25.1

1

Down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

24.6

.

Landed outside off, Iyer throws his bat at it but misses.

24.5

.

A short ball, outside off, punched off the back foot.

24.4

1

Landed outside off again, tapped through cover for a quick one.

24.3

1

Landed outside off, played through point for a run.

24.2

1

Landed outside off, played through point for a single.

24.2

1wd

WIDE. A short ball, outside off, Kohli throws his bat at it but misses.

24.1

.

On a length ball outside off, left alone.

Hamish Bennett returns. 3-0-26-0 so far.

23.6

.

The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

23.5

1

Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run.

23.4

.

Around off, defended watchfully.

23.3

1

Outside off, played through the covers for a single.

23.2

1

Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.

23.1

4

FOUR! Graceful shot. Full and outside off, Kohli leans and drives it through the covers for a boundary!

22.6

1

Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

22.5

4

FOUR! Wow. That almost seemed a half pull. A length ball, Kohli just whips it through mid on!

22.4

1

On middle and leg, worked through mid-wicket for a run.

22.3

.

The batsman defends it from within the crease.

22.2

2

Flicks this through mid-wicket for a couple.

22.1

.

Landed outside off, left alone.

21.6

1

Around off, watchfully tapped away for a run.

21.5

1

The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. One run added to the total.

21.4

.

Short and outside off, cut straight to point.

21.3

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

21.2

.

Down the leg side, Kohli looks to work it to the leg side but closes his bat-face a touch early. The ball goes to cover.

21.1

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Spin time. Mitchell Santner into the attack now.

20.6

.

The batsman defends it from within the crease.

20.5

4

FOUR! Cracking shot. Short and wide outside off, Iyer slaps it through point and gets a boundary!

20.4

.

Around off, defended watchfully.

20.3

1

This time he connects with the pull and gets a single.

20.2

.

A short ball, outside off, Kohli looks to pull but misses.

20.1

1

A length ball, around off, Iyer looks to work it straight but the ball takes the inner half of the bat and goes to deep mid-wicket. A single taken.

19.6

1

The batsman has played it to the point region for a single.

19.5

2

A short ball, outside off, Shreyas backs away and carves it over point. Two runs taken.

19.4

.

A good length ball outside off, watchfully defended.

19.3

.

Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

19.2

4lb

FOUR LEG BYES. Down the leg side, Iyer looks to flick but the ball goes off his pads to the fine leg fence. 50-RUN STAND IS UP AS WELL.

19.1

1

Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single. 100 UP FOR INDIA. Continue to go at a pretty decent rate.

18.6

4

DROPPED, FOUR! That is twice in 7 balls for Iyer. He is riding his luck. Full and outside off, Shreyas looks to go over mid off but the ball hits the toe end of his bat. It is skewed towards mid off where Tim Southee leaps and gets a hand to it but cannot hold on. The ball races away to the long off fence.

18.5

.

Outside off, guided to point.

18.4

2

A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple.

18.3

.

Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

18.2

.

Full and outside off, left alone.

18.1

.

A length ball, outside off, pushed straight to point.

17.6

1

DROPPED! Tough chance for Ross Taylor. Full and wide outside off, Iyer looks to drive but the ball takes the outside edge. Taylor at short third man dives to his right but cannot hang on.

17.5

.

Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

17.4

.

Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

17.3

.

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

17.2

1

Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.

17.1

.

Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

17.1

1wd

WIDE. 5th of the innings already. Full and down the leg side, Kohli walks across and looks to flick but misses.

16.6

.

Another slower one, fuller in length outside off, watchfully shouldered arms to.

16.5

.

A slower ball, outside off, Shreyas walks down the track but then lets it go.

16.4

1

Full and wide outside off, the skipper reaches out and drives it to sweeper cover for one.

16.3

1

Iyer follows suit now, dabbing it to third man for a run.

16.2

1

Just an example of how late he plays the ball. Kohli waits for the ball to come to him and guides it towards third man for a single.

16.1

4

FOUR! MARVELLOUS! Half volley outside off, Kohli leans and drives it through the covers. Short extra cover dives to his left but the ball whizzes past him. The stand moves to 33 in 45 balls. The skipper moves to 22 from 30 deliveries.

15.6

1

Defended off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

15.5

1

Short and outside off, cut through point for a run.

15.4

.

Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

15.3

1

Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

15.2

.

Full and outside off, Virat looks to flick but the ball nips in, takes the inside edge and hits him on the right thigh. The skipper limps in pain.

15.1

.

Hits the pitch hard, generates extra bounce, lands it outside off. Kohli reaches out, looking to push it through the covers but the extra bounce makes the ball hit the splice of the bat and go off the inner half of the bat towards mid on.

15.1

1wd

WIDE. Good pace but misdirected. At 137 kph, Neesham is targetting the leg stump but the swing and angle takes it down the leg side, beating Kohli's attempted flick.

14.6

1

Played to the point region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

14.5

1

Full and outside off, swinging away, pushed watchfully through the covers for one.

14.5

1wd

WIDE. Iyer is standing with his leg and middle stumps exposed and seeing that, de Grandhomme targets the leg stump. But the swing takes the ball past the leg stump and Shreyas misses his flick. A wide signalled.

14.4

.

Around off, Shreyas taps it towards mid on and sets off for a quick single but Kohli straightaway sends him back. Would have been a suicidal run.

14.3

4

FOUR! MAJESTIC! A full ball wide outside off, Iyer reaches out and drives it through the covers. Finds the gap and gets his first boundary.

14.2

.

A length ball outside off, delivered with a wobbly seam, left alone.

14.1

1

A length ball, around off, the skipper taps it with soft hands towards mid on and takes a quick single.

14.1

1wd

WIDE. Down the leg side, Kohli misses his flick.

13.6

1

AARGH! Kohli yells. Because this was a short and wide delivery outside off. He threw his bat at it but could only get it down to third man for a single.

13.5

4

FOUR! A full toss, outside off, Kohli drives this down the ground. Mid off dives to his right but the ball is past him in a flash.

FREE HIT TIME. This is a good opportunity for India to break the shackles.

13.5

1nb

NO BALL! Did Kohli hear the call early? Perhaps. Because he was straightaway down the track, looking to hit. Neesham tried to bowl it on the pads but misfired it down the leg side. Replays show that his foot landed on the line.

13.4

1

OFF THE MARK ON THE 10TH BALL. Full and outside off, Iyer drives this through the covers. Tim Southee dives to his right at short extra and gets a hand to it. Parries it to the left of mid off and Shreyas gets off the mark with a single.

13.3

1

MISFIELD. Full and outside off, Virat punches it straight to point. But Martin Guptill charging in to stop the ball gets into too much of a hurry and takes his eyes off the ball. It goes off his palms towards third man. A single taken.

13.2

.

Slightly wide outside off, fuller in length, the skipper looks to play away from his body but misses.

13.1

.

Full and around off, Kohli looks to work it to the leg side but he ball straightens, takes the leading edge and goes to mid off.

12.6

.

Another play and a miss. A length ball outside off, Iyer looks to defend but the ball seams away and beats the outside edge.

12.5

.

Ahhh... nearly nicks this one. A length ball, outside off, Iyer reaches out to play at that, away from his body and almost gets an outside edge behind. Is beaten.

12.4

.

Around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

12.3

1

A length ball outside off, going away again, steered down to third man for a single.

12.2

.

A length ball, outside off, moving away, solidly defended.

12.1

.

Full and outside off, played straight to point.

Switch of ends for Colin de Grandhomme. Just a little use of the wind and trying to take the ball away from the right-handers. 2-0-4-1 so far.

11.6

.

Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover. A run from Neesham's first.

11.5

.

Around off, tight line, watchfully defended.

11.4

1

ALMOST A WICKET! Would have been another soft dismissal. A length ball, on middle, VK walks across and flicks it. Hits it too well for his liking and the ball is aerial and nearly straight down the throat of Ish Sodhi at deep backward square leg. Lands short. A run taken.

Slipped our mind but Powerplay 2 was signalled after the 10th over. 4 fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.

11.3

.

Full and outside off, driven towards mid off.

11.2

.

This one swings in now. The skipper pushes it towards mid on who is pretty deep. The timing is exquisite and the ball goes pretty quickly. Hence, the single is not taken.

11.1

.

Hint of outswing, outside off, Kohli walks into the shot and drives it to cover.

Jimmy Neesham to bowl now. If the ball continues to swing, he will be a handful.

10.6

1

Around off, tapped through mid-wicket for a quick run.

10.5

.

Still Southee is getting some swing. He gets it into the batsman, the skipper is tight in defense but because of the late swing, the bat turns in his hands and the ball hits the inner half of his bat and drops it down.

10.4

.

Outside off, driven beautifully but straight to wide mid off.

10.3

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended.

10.2

.

A length ball, 6 inches outside off, Virat walks into the shot and then confidently leaves it alone.

10.1

4

FOUR! BRUTAL! A short ball, outside off, Kohli, not the one to miss out on any scoring opportunity. Pulls it with disdain over mid-wicket.

9.6

.

Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off. 55/2 IN POWERPLAY 1 for India. Good end to the phase for the Kiwis.

9.5

.

Fuller and around off, well defended.

9.4

1

The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. The batsmen have run through for a single.

9.3

.

Around off, blocked from the crease.

9.2

.

The batsman fails to get bat on that one and is hit on the pad.

9.1

.

A length ball, outside off, pushed towards point.

8.6

.

A length ball, around off, Shreyas looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

8.5

.

Full and around off, Iyer drives it straight back, only to see it get stopped.

Shreyas Iyer comes out to the middle. Two new batsmen at the crease.

8.4

W

OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the man. Agarwal goes too! Two wickets for New Zealand in the span of 5 balls. Not a wicket-taking delivery by any means. Short and outside off, Agarwal throws his bat at it and cuts really hard. But to his hard luck, he finds Tom Blundell at point to perfection. Mayank is in utter dismay. That was a boundary ball. Instead, it turns out to be a wicket delivery. So both the new openers, after looking good, throw their wickets away.

8.3

.

Outside off, left alone.

8.2

4

FOUR! A short ball, around off, Agarwal pulls it over mi-wicket and gets a boundary.

8.1

.

A bouncer on middle, Agarwal ducks.

In comes the skipper, Virat Kohli.

7.6

W

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! De Grandhomme strikes in his very first over. A length ball, outside off, nipping away, Shaw looks to run it down to third man but only manages to nick it behind. First strike for the Kiwis. Shaw looked good in his brief stay.

7.5

1

50-RUN OPENING STAND IS UP! This is a solid beginning for India. A length ball outside off, Mayank runs it down to third man and gets a single.

7.4

.

Full and around off, watchfully defended.

7.3

.

One more leave outside off.

7.2

.

Landed outside off, left alone.

7.2

1wd

WIDE. A length ball, pretty wide outside off, Agarwal stays leg side of the ball and chases it, going at it flat-footed but misses.

7.1

1

A length ball, around off, Shaw flicks it uppishly, but wide of mid on for a single.

Swing on offer. So Colin de Grandhomme comes on as the first change.

6.6

.

A good length ball outside off, nice line, left alone to end a 10-run over.

6.5

2

Down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple.

6.4

.

Fuller and around off, watchfully defended.

6.3

4

FOUR! BOSH! Short and wide outside off, Agarwal slaps it over point for a boundary!

6.2

.

The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

6.1

4

FOUR! EDGED AWAY! A length ball, outside off, Agarwal looks to defend but the ball moves away and squares him up. Takes the outside edge but evades second slip and goes to the third man fence.

5.6

.

Outside off, punched sweetly but straight to cover.

5.5

2

Down the leg side, Prithvi flicks it through mid-wicket where Neesham gets a hand on it and slows it down. Mid on gets to the ball and keeps the batsmen to a couple.

5.4

4

FOUR! BOOM! A short ball, around middle, Shaw pulls it over mid-wicket and gets a boundary!

5.3

1

Outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.

5.2

.

A length ball, around off, coming in, Mayank looks to tuck but misses and is hit on the pads. Bennett puts in a half-appeal but no one from his own team is even interested.

5.1

4

FOUR! Down the leg side, Agarwal tickles it to the fine leg fence.

4.6

1

Works this wide of mid on for a quick single. There is a shy at the bowler's end but it misses the stumps. Could have been touch and go.

4.5

4

FOUR! MAGNIFICENT! Half volley, outside off, Agarwal leans and drives it through the covers!

4.4

.

NOT OUT. UMPIRE'S CALL! A length ball, around off, Agarwal looks to defend but the ball skids off the deck and hits him on the pads. Southee appeals but the umpire moves away. The bowler immediately asks his keeper who opines that bat might be involved. But Southee is firm that there is no inside edge. Latham then takes the review immediately. Hot Spot proves Southee right but then Ball Tracker arrives, it shows the ball to be clipping the top of the bails. Agarwal survives.

LBW review! Is that bat first? Southee is confident that it is not bat first. Replays confirm that. Nothing on Hot Spot. Will height be an issue? Umpire's call on height!

Believe it or not, we are going to have an 8-1 off side field. Nope. 7-2. No third man. He moves to short mid-wicket.

4.3

.

Outside off, left alone.

4.2

.

Another play and a miss. A length ball, around off, Mayank is squared up again, looking to defend. Beaten once more.

4.1

.

That is a jaffa. On a length outside off, Agarwal walks down the track, looks to defend but the ball moves away and squares him up.

3.6

4

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! A length ball, outside off, Shaw gets on top of the bounce and punches it through the covers!

3.5

4

FOUR! Beautifully done. Full and around middle, Shaw flicks it through mid-wicket, finds the gap and the fence.

3.4

1

Short and outside off, cut behind point for a run.

3.3

1

Driven towards the mid on region. They pick up a single.

3.2

.

Full and on middle, driven beautifully but straight to mid on.

3.1

.

A length ball, around middle, Shaw looks to tuck it to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads.

2.6

.

A leave outside off to end the over.

2.5

.

Full on middle, pushed towards mid on.

2.4

.

Full and outside off, let through once again.

2.3

.

Landed outside off, left alone.

2.2

4

FOUR! LOVELY! Overpitched, outside off, Agarwal comes forward, gets to the pitch of the ball and drives this through mid off!

2.1

1

Landed outside off, Shaw punches it through point. The man from point, Jimmy Neesham dives to his right, makes a half-stop while cover-point dives to his left and makes a half-stop as well. A single taken.

1.6

2

Too short and too wide outside off, opportunity for runs and Agarwal does not miss out. Punches it through the covers and gets a couple.

1.5

1

The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. They pick up a single.

1.4

2

FIRST RUNS OFF THE BAT. A short ball, outside off, Shaw punches it through the covers. The outfield is not the quickest and Tim Southee gets to it from mid off. Two runs taken. Those are the first, of many, for Shaw in ODI cricket.

1.3

.

Full and outside off, swinging in, pushed towards cover.

1.2

.

Landed outside off, played straight to point.

1.1

1lb

A length ball, down the leg side, Agarwal looks to tuck but misses. The ball goes off his pads towards fine leg. A leg bye taken.

Hamish Bennett to bowl with the second new ball.

0.6

.

Landed around off, watchfully defended. A MAIDEN TO START OFF PROCEEDINGS.

0.5

.

Fuller and around off, Shaw looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

0.4

.

Nice curve, fuller in length, swinging away, Prithvi defends it back to the bowler.

0.3

.

A length ball, outside off, Prithvi looks to tuck it to the leg side but gets a thick inside edge onto his hip.

0.2

.

Swing on offer. Full and outside off, swinging away, left alone.

0.1

.

A length ball outside off, moving away, punched sweetly, off the middle of the bat, but straight to cover.

We are all set to begin! The two new openers for India, Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw make their way out to the middle. The Kiwi players are in a huddle before they take their respective positions in the field. Tim Southee to start off proceedings. Shaw to face. Here we go...

Both teams are out on the field for the respective National Anthems.

PITCH REPORT - Scott Styris says that the soil used is the Mohali soil. VVS Laxman observes that there is no grass cover as the batting of New Zealand is not that strong. Believes that it is a good pitch to bat on and might aid spin later on in the innings. Styris adds that the pitch looks a bit tacky, so the ball might stick on the surface initially but then should come onto the bat as the game goes on.

New Zealand (Playing XI) - Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham(C AND WK), Tom Blundell, Ross Taylor, Jimmy Neesham, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi and Hamish Bennett.

India (Playing XI) - Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli(C), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(WK), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah.

Indian captain, Virat Kohli too, admits he would have bowled first, as it is a short ground and under lights, batting gets easier. But is now looking to bat well, especially in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Is super excited to see a new opening combination in Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal. Informs that Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Navdeep Saini and Yuzvendra Chahal are the 5 guys missing out from the squad. Believes that Kuldeep Yadav's variety tips him ahead of Chahal. Feels that at home, they can be dominant as anyone but it is foreign conditions which will test them. Hence, he believes that a 5-0 win in the T20Is puts them in really good perspective. Adds that since this year has a major focus on T20Is, one would see plenty of new faces being tried out in the ODIs.

New Zealand skipper, Tom Latham, says that the reason is due to history where chasing is favoured in the ground as it becomes difficult to defend under lights. Informs Neesham and de Grandhomme are the all-rounders while the seam attack comprises of Tim Southee and Hamish Bennett. Further says that Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi would be their spinners. On being asked whether they could take confidence from an ODI which was played as long as 5 months ago, Latham is confident that they can maintain their good run.

TOSS - Latham flips is the coin, Heads is the call from Kohli but it is a Tail. NEW ZEALAND ELECT TO CHASE.

Prithvi Shaw and Mayanak Agarwal are being handed their ODI caps. Good luck to them!

WEATHER - For starters, it is a bright and sunny afternoon in Hamilton. No threat of rain.

New Zealand, on the other hand, are returning to the format post their dramatic World Cup loss against England. They were in a thumping form during the tournament, but here with a few key players from that team missing, they will look to trouble the Indians and make amends to their whitewash in the T20I series. Stay with us to find out how things pan out.

After a thumping victory over the hosts in the 5-match T20I series, the caravan moves to 50-over format. By the looks of things, one can say the story in this format won't be a lot different. Both the teams are marred with injuries to their one of the star players - Rohit Sharma for India and regular skipper Kane Williamson for New Zealand. India are set to hand debuts to Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal and it will be interesting to see if these prospects shine for the Indians and show their strengthened bench strength in this format.

Match Center

1st ODI, Hamilton, February 05, 2020, 07:30 AM

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