India was handed a 7 wicket hammering by New Zealand in the first ODI. India captain Shikhar Dhawan talked about the short length bowing from India which largely caused the problem. At one time New Zealand were 88/3 but after that Tom Latham and Williamson took the game away from India.
In the post-match presentation, Indian captain Shikhar Dhawan said “We felt good with the total. The ball was seaming in the first 15 overs. This ground is a bit different than other grounds. We bowled a lot on a short of a length, and Latham attacked. We misfielded on a few balls. But as I said, we were quite short to Latham, and that’s where he took the game away. He hit four boundaries in the 40th over, and that’s where the game shifted. Surely lots of learning for the boys.”
Earlier today, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss in Auckland and choose to bowl first. Opening the batting for India, Skipper Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill gave India a slow but conscious start. India did not lose any early wicket and both batters stitched a 124 runs partnership for the 1st wicket. Just when the pair was looking threatening, India lost both Gill and Dhawan within 2 overs. Dhawan smashed 72 off 77 balls with 13 boundaries while Gill made 50 off 65 deliveries with 3 sixes and a four. Ferguson took 3 quick wickets in his second spell and left India reeling on 160/4 in 33 overs.
Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson stiched a much needed 94 runs partnership for the 5th wicket to get India back in the contest. Iyer made a fluent 80 off 76 balls. Sanju Samson also made a quick 36 off 38 balls. Late strike from Washington Sundar (37* off 16) took India past 300. India posted 306/7 in 50 overs.
Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson took 3 wickets each for New Zealand.
In reply, New Zealand openers started the chase positively and did not lose any early wickets but due to some really good balling they could not get to the flyer either. New Zealand lost Finn Allen (22 off 25 balls) in the 8th over at the score of 35. They lost their 2nd wicket in Devon Conway (24 off 42) in the 16th over. New Zealand lost Mitchell when the score was just 88 on the board. Captain Kane Williamson came to the rescue and bolted a unbeaten explosive partnership of 221 runs with Tom Latham for the 4th wicket to win by 7 wickets.
Tom Latham looked like he was batting forever, he smashed Indian bowlers all around the park and scored 145* in just 104 deliveries with 5 maximums and 19 boundaries, while Kane stayed not out on 94*.