1st ODI: Williamson & Latham clobber India

New Zealand defeated India by seven wickets in the first ODI, at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday.

The win also helped the hosts go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

Chasing a target of 307 runs, New Zealand raced to 309 for three in 47.1 overs, courtesy of some fine batting from Tom Latham and Kane Williamson.

New Zealand lost some early wickets of Finn Allen, Devon Conway, and Daryl Mitchell.

However, Latham and Williamson took control and guided the Kiwis to victory.

Latham hammered an unbeaten knock of 145 runs off 104 balls and Williamson slammed an unbeaten knock of 94 runs off 98 deliveries.

For India, debutant Umran Malik took two wickets for 66 runs while Shardul Thakur got one.

Initially, the visitors posted 306 for seven in 50 overs, with Shreyas Iyer smacking 80 runs off 76 balls.

Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan also registered 72 runs off 77 balls and Shubman Gill clobbered 50 runs off 65 balls.

Lockie Ferguson was in top form for the visitors and took a three-wicket haul. Meanwhile, Tim Southee also bagged three wickets.

New Zealand, the No. 1 ODI side in the ICC rankings, are now unbeaten for the last 13 ODIs at home.

This is the second time when New Zealand has beaten India while chasing 300+ in ODIs.

Man of the Match, Tom Latham said, ” It was just one of those days when everything came off well. Built a partnership with Kane and had a bit of fun, just reacted to things and it paid off.”

“It’s about being in strong positions and react to what they were bowling. Was able to find the gaps. The preparation has been ideal, it’s been nice and was able to hit the ball right today.”

New Zealand 309 for 3 (Latham 145*, Williamson 94*, Malik 2-66) beat India306 for 7 (Iyer 80, Dhawan 72, Gill 50, Ferguson 3-59, Southee 3-73) by seven wickets