Shreyas Iyer's maiden ODI century in vain.
Images from the first One-Day International between New Zealand and India, at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on Wednesday.
Young batsman Shreyas Iyer's maiden One-Day International hundred went in vain as New Zealand defeated India by four wickets in the series-opener, in Hamilton, on Wednesday.
India produced a commanding batting performance to post a competitive 347 for four, but the seasoned Ross Taylor anchored the Kiwi chase with an unbeaten 109.
The hosts overhauled the stiff target with 11 balls to spare as the Indian bowlers struggled despite having a big total to defend.
It was New Zealand's first victory since the Indians landed in the country, after the humiliating whitewash in the five-match T20 series.
The Kiwis were quite comfortable in their run-chase but lost the wickets of Tom Latham (69), and James Neesham (9) and Colin de Grandhomme (1) when nearing the target.
Taylor though ensured that his team did not snatch yet another defeat from a strong position with his 21st century.
Latham, deputising for the injured Kane Williamson, got his runs, including eight fours and two sixes, off 48 balls.
Earlier, Iyer survived being dropped thrice before registering his maiden One-day international century.
Dropped on eight, 11 and 83, he scored 103 and shared stands of 102 with captain Virat Kohli (51) and 136 with KL Rahul (88 not out) as India continued their strong limited-overs' form following the 5-0 sweep in the Twenty20 series.
With Rohit Sharma ruled out of the series after suffering a calf muscle strain in final Twenty20 game on Sunday, India gave ODI debuts to the opening pair of Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal.
They put on 50 runs in eight overs before falling in quick succession, only for India's middle order to put up a huge score on a good batting pitch at Seddon Park.
But both Shaw and Agarwal fell in the space of five balls as India were reduced to 54 for 2. Shaw was the first to go, nicking behind a Colin de Grandhomme (1/41) delivery, while Agarwal was caught at point by Blundell off Southee (2/85).
It brought Kohli and Iyer together, and they dominated the middle overs in a 102-run stand for the third wicket. They manoeuvred the field well and kept the scorecard ticking as India crossed 150 in the 28th over.
Kohli fell against the run of play as a wrong one from Ish Sodhi (1/27) got through his defence and clipped leg stump.
Rahul though did not let the innings lose any momentum as he smacked six sixes and three fours.
But the day belonged to Iyer, who, despite a scratchy start, crossed 50 off 66 balls. Once he passed the 50-run mark, the stylish right-hander batted fluently to notch his first century in 16 ODIs. He fell shortly afterwards, caught off Southee, even as Rahul took control, reaching his half-century off 41 balls as India eased past 300 in the 47th over.
Rahul's carnage meant that New Zealand conceded 191 runs in the last 20 overs. Kedar Jadhav remained unbeaten on 26 off 15 balls, stitching 55 off 27 balls with Rahul.
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