Virat Kohli struck a sparkling century as India posted
a total of 276 runs in the first limited-overs international
against New Zealand on Sunday.
a total of 276 runs in the first limited-overs international
against New Zealand on Sunday.
Kohli's 105 was not supported well by the other Indian
batsmen in the face of some tight bowling by New Zealand.
batsmen in the face of some tight bowling by New Zealand.
Left-arm paceman Andy McKay was the pick of the New
Zealand bowlers, returning figures of 4-62.
Zealand bowlers, returning figures of 4-62.
India lost wickets at regular intervals after New Zealand won
the toss and elected to field, and slumped badly in the final
stages to be dismissed in 49 overs.
the toss and elected to field, and slumped badly in the final
stages to be dismissed in 49 overs.
Kohli, who scored a match-winning 118 in his previous
one-day appearance at Visakhapatnam against Australia last
month, reached his second consecutive century and fourth
overall in one-dayers, with a four to third-man off seamer Kyle Mills.
one-day appearance at Visakhapatnam against Australia last
month, reached his second consecutive century and fourth
overall in one-dayers, with a four to third-man off seamer Kyle Mills.
The number three batsman rotated the strike well and
smashed some fine fours when the batting powerplay was taken in
the 40th over. He was earlier involved in a useful 88-run stand for
the third wicket with left-hander Yuvraj Singh.
smashed some fine fours when the batting powerplay was taken in
the 40th over. He was earlier involved in a useful 88-run stand for
the third wicket with left-hander Yuvraj Singh.
Kohli's was a soft dismissal as he failed to keep down a slower delivery
from McKay and Jamie How, fielding in the covers, took his third of four
catches.
from McKay and Jamie How, fielding in the covers, took his third of four
catches.
Singh struck seven fours in his 42 but was unable to work the
ball around. He was caught behind off seamer Darryl Tuffey, unable
to capitalize on the cautious beginning that saw him score his first
five runs off 23 deliveries.
ball around. He was caught behind off seamer Darryl Tuffey, unable
to capitalize on the cautious beginning that saw him score his first
five runs off 23 deliveries.
India started well, but lost both openers relatively cheaply. Murali
Vijay tried to pull Tuffey but only managed a top-edge for
wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins to take a high catch after the batsman
had scored 29 off 32.
Vijay tried to pull Tuffey but only managed a top-edge for
wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins to take a high catch after the batsman
had scored 29 off 32.
Gambhir played a casual shot off a widish delivery from McKay to give
How an easy catch at point. Gambhir, leading the side after the
selectors decided to rest several frontline players, made a run-a-ball 38.
How an easy catch at point. Gambhir, leading the side after the
selectors decided to rest several frontline players, made a run-a-ball 38.
New Zealand went in without regular captain Daniel Vettori, who was
rested after a heavy workload in the preceding three-test
series. Brendon McCullum was also out due to a sore back.
rested after a heavy workload in the preceding three-test
series. Brendon McCullum was also out due to a sore back.
India is without regular captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar,
Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh, all of whom were
not picked in the squad either owing to injury concerns or to give them
rest in the midst of a hectic season.
Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh, all of whom were
not picked in the squad either owing to injury concerns or to give them
rest in the midst of a hectic season.
This is the first game of a five-match series. Jaipur, Baroda,
Bangalore and Chennai will host the remaining matches.
Bangalore and Chennai will host the remaining matches.
India had won the preceding three-match test series 1-0.
