New Zealand rode on brilliant knocks from Tom Latham and Ross Taylor to a comprehensive six-wicket victory over India in the first One-Day International (ODI) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. The duo contributed a 200-run stand for the fourth wicket as the visitors overtook India's total of 280/8 with six balls to spare. This is the highest successful run-chase at the Wankhede. New Zealand have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. Latham, who remained unbeaten on 103, smashed the opposition bowlers all over the park to notch up eight boundaries and two sixes in his 102-ball innings. Taylor (95) used his experience from the other end to keep the scoreboard ticking, punishing the loose deliveries. For India, medium-pacer Hardik Pandya (1/46) was the most effective bowler. (MATCH SCORECARD)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM INDIA vs NEW ZEALAND, 1ST ODI IN MUMBAI
NEW ZEALAND INNINGS
21.35 IST: FOUR!! That's a wrap for today's match in Mumbai as Henry enters and finishes in style for New Zealand to lead 1-0 in the ODI series against India. New Zealand win by 6 wickets. NZ 284/4 in 49 overs
21.32 IST: OUT!! Straight to the fielder! Would you believe it? Ross Taylor survived an LBW scare but now departs when his side is almost over the finish line. Fuller in length on off, Taylor smacks it hard but finds Chahal at extra cover who takes a good low catch. He walks back to a big round of applause. New Zealand just need 1 to win.. NZ 280/4 in 48.5 overs
21.30 IST: 200 partnership for Latham and Taylor. A good time for their contribution to turn up as the black caps need a run to win. NZ 280/3 in 48.2 overs
21.28 IST: New Zealand need 2 runs in 12 balls. Taylor needs 5 runs to complete his ton but only a boundary can do that. NZ 279/3 in 48 overs
21.25 IST: The Kiwis have played it slow all along as Latham and Taylor's partnership has done the trick for the visitors. The black caps need 3 runs to win in 13 balls. NZ 278/3 in 47.5 overs
21.20 IST: Hundred for Latham. A clip of the pads and a single allows Latham to complete his century. NZ 277/3 in 47.3 overs
21.19 IST: FOUR!! Taylor gets into the nineties as both batsmen hunt for a ton. NZ 273/3 in 46.2 overs
21.17 IST: SIX!! Latham one short of a ton as he smashes Bumrah's delivery over wide long-on. NZ 268/3 in 45.4 overs
21.16 IST: FOUR!! Bumrah has been quite expensive as Taylor continues to step up and smash the balls down the ground. NZ 256/3 in 45.3 overs
21.14 IST: New Zealand need 29 runs off 29 balls. Taylor and Latham's partnership has controlled the Indian bowlers in Mumbai today. NZ 251/3 in 45.1 overs
21.10 IST: FOUR!! Latham has found a way to counter the spinners all evening with his sweep shots. Latham is ten runs short of a ton as Taylor also edges closer. NZ 250/3 in 44.5 overs
21.07 IST: SIX!! In the air... it's gone over the fielder! Flighted delivery around middle, Latham gets down and picks it up. He sweeps it and it goes aerially towards deep square leg. Manish Pandey in the deep is interested but the ball goes well over him to the fence for a maximum. NZ 244/3 in 43.4 overs
21.01 IST: FOUR!! What a hit that is! Kuldeep is a bit on the shorter side, Latham gets into the position and reverse swats it through backward point for a boundary to start the over. Superbly done! NZ 228/3 in 42.1 overs
21.00 IST: 6 runs of Chahal's over as New Zealand play it slow. New Zealand need 57 runs to win in 48 balls. NZ 224/3 in 42 overs
20.49 IST: FOUR!! That was off the meat! Taylor skips down to this length delivery and powers it down the ground for a boundary. NZ 211/3 in 39.5 overs
20.40 IST: New Zealand cross the 200 mark as Latham and Taylor's partnership continues to add misery on the hosts. NZ 206/3 in 39 overs
20.27 IST: FIFTY for Latham! This is the 9th ODI fifty for Latham. NZ 185/3 in 36 overs
20.27 IST: FOUR! Runs off the pad but New Zealand won't mind. Length delivery drifting on the pads, Latham looks to clip it away but it brushes his pads and races down to the fine leg fence for a boundary. The runs keep coming for the Kiwis.
20.08 IST: FOUR! Taylor hits Pandya for a boundary to fine leg.
20.02 IST: FOUR! Nailed it! He is sweeping it really well! Tossed up delivery around middle, Latham gets down and sweeps it off the middle of the bat in front of square on the leg side for a boundary. NZ 148/3 in 30 overs
19.56 IST: FOUR!! Bang! Good length delivery on middle, Taylor skips down the track and goes bang over mid on. The ball just bounces before crossing the rope. This should get Taylor going as he has failed to time the ball tonight. NZ 141/3 in 28.5 overs
19.47 IST: Three runs of Pandya's over. NZ 128/3 in 27 overs
19.36 IST: Five runs off Kuldeep's over. NZ 114/3 in 24 overs
19.20 IST: FOUR! Latham hits a boundary off Pandya. Back of a length delivery outside off, punched on the up through covers. Karthik from sweeper cover, comes running to his right, puts in a dive but the ball wins the race. NZ 94/3 in 30 overs
19.10 IST: OUT! Pandya removes Guptill for 32. Hardik Pandya strikes! What an excellent catch that is from Karthik! Pandya persists with the short ball, Guptill swivels to pull but the ball gets bigger on him. He gets a big top edge towards deep mid-wicket. Karthik in the deep comes running to his right, keeps his eyes on the ball and then dives forward to take a really good catch. He took one earlier as well but this one is just too good a catch. Guptill departs after his scratchy knock. NZ 80/3 in 17.2 overs, chasing 281. Tom Latham walks in next, replacing Guptill. Last year he had great success while opening the batting in India. Now he has been handed responsibility to take care of the middle order. Let's see if he can once again do the same.
19.00 IST: FOUR! Pulled away! Yadav bowls a half-tracker on middle, Taylor camps back and pulls it through square leg. Dhawan in the deep puts in a dive but fails to stop it from crossing the rope. NZ 76/2 in 15 overs
18.56 IST: FOUR! Guptill hits Kuldeep for a boundary!
18.45 IST: OUT! Kuldeep removes Williamson for 6. Straight to Kedar Jadhav! This time he makes no mistake! Kuldeep Yadav gets the big fish! He bowls a googly, wider outside off and asking the Kiwi skipper to go after it. Kane makes room and tries to hit it over extra cover. Doesn't bother to keep it down and ends up spooning it to Jadhav stationed there. The crowd is back alive. Don't remember when was the last time Williamson departed for a cheap score. NZ 62/2 in 12.3 overs, chasing 281
18.40 IST: NOT OUT! Inside edge saves Guptill! That is why he was keen on taking the referral! Yadav tosses it up around middle, it skids a bit as Guptill comes forward to defend. Misses and is hit on the pads. A huge appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Guptill is quick to take the DRS! Replays show there is a clear inside edge and the on-field decision has to be overturned!
18.36 IST: Powerplay 2 signaled. Maximum of 4 fielders are now allowed outside the circle till the 40th over. Meanwhile, Kohli moves to his spinner, Kuldeep Yadav who comes into the attack.
18.34 IST: FOUR! Edged and Four! Guptill gets a lucky boundary to third man. NZ 52/1 in 10 overs
18.31 IST: OUT! Bumrah removes Munro for 28. In the air... taken! Colin Munro falls to a slower one and fails to make the life count. Bumrah from over the wicket, nicely changes the pace and delivers it full on middle and leg. Munro tries clipping it away but the slowness on the ball brings his downfall. NZ 48/1 in 9.3 overs, chasing 281
18.29 IST: FOUR! Munro hits Bhuvneshwar for a boundary. Short and wide outside off, Munro sees the width and slashes at it. Gets it comfortably over cover-point to end the over with a boundary. NZ 47/0 in 9 overs
18.14 IST: FOUR! Munro hits Bumrah to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. Back of a length ball on middle, Munro stands tall and pulls it with aplomb over mid-wicket to find the fence. NZ 38/0 in 6 overs
18.13 IST: DROPPED! Kedar Jadhav drops Munro on 13 and the balls goes for a boundary. Kedar Jadhav has dropped a simple catch! Bumrah is not happy for the obvious reason! He bowls a length delivery on middle and leg, cramps the southpaw for room who already made room. He pulls it awkwardly towards deep square leg. Jadhav in the deep fails to judge it well as he comes in quite a few yards. He tries to take it over his head but the ball bursts through his fingers and then crosses the fence. Will Munro make the most of the life? We saw Kohli doing the same earlier.
18.02 IST: What happened there? One of the floodlights is not working. Kohli is not happy and he has a discussion with the umpires. There is a halt in play. The batsmen have gone out of the field as well. Meanwhile, the lights are coming on slowly. It has lit up completely and here we go again after the delay... NZ 24/0 in 4 overs
18.00 IST: FOUR! Edged and a four for Guptill. On a length and pitched around off, there is some extra bounce as Guptill flashes at it.
17.55 IST: SIX! Munro hits Bhuvneshwar for a maximum. Excellent shot, that! Kumar hurls it on a length and tries to bring it back. What does Munro do? He walks across and just whips it over deep square leg for a maximum. He's nailed that shot! NZ 17/0 in 3 overs
17.47 IST: FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Guptill. Not in perfect control of this one but still effective. Fullish ball on middle, Guptill drives it uppishly down the ground and past mid on to find the fence. NZ 8/0 in 1 over
17.46 IST: FOUR! Guptill hits Bhuvneshwar for a boundary. The Kiwis are away! Fractionally overpitched on middle, Guptill leans ahead and drives it beautifully down the ground for a majestic boundary.
17.45 IST: New Zealand openers Colin Munro and Martin Guptill are out in the middle. Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar Kumar to start the proceedings for India.
INDIA INNINGS
17.25 IST: It was Trent Boult leading the way for the Kiwis. He was lethal with the new ball as well with the old one in the slog overs, finishing with figures of 10-1-35-4, his third career-best in ODIs. His partner, Tim Southee picked up 3 wickets but went for many. Mitchell Santner was effective and extracted some spin from the surface, drying up the run flow in the middle overs. The visitors will still feel that it is 20-30 odd more on this deck where the ball is stopping at times and India have two top quality wrist spinners in their ranks. Will the Kiwis chase this down to prove their mettle? Let's find out shortly.
17.21 IST: India have done well to reach a good score on this two-paced surface. They didn't get the best of starts as they lost both the openers not for much. It was Virat Kohli who stood stall and played street smart cricket. He stitched useful stands along with Kedar Jadhav and MS Dhoni to lay a good foundation. The Indian skipper changed gears and scored a brilliant century.
17.14 IST: Virat Kohli's (121) 31st ton powers India to 280/8 (50 overs) vs New Zealand in Mumbai. Boult (4/35)
17.13 IST: OUT! Bouncer climbing on Kumar. It gets big on him as he goes for the pull. Henry Nicolls at deep mid-wicket moves to his left and grabs a well-judged catch. INDIA FINISH ON 280/8.
17.12 IST: SIX! Bhuvneshwar hits Southee over deep square leg. Right out of the screws! Shortish delivery on middle and leg, Kumar pulls it with aplomb over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.
17.12 IST: FOUR! Short ball from Southee and Bhuvneshwar hits him to fine leg. No matter how they come, India will be happy that they are coming. Short delivery, Kumar goes for a pull but top edges it over backward square leg for a boundary.
17.11 IST: OUT! Southee removes Kohli for 121. IND 270/7 in 49.2 overs
17.09 IST: SIX! Kohli hits a massive six straight down the ground off Southee. What a hit! Length delivery on off, Kohli clears his front leg and lifts it down the ground. It is straight as an arrow and hits the sightscreen.
17.07 IST: SIX! Bhuvneshwar hits Milne for a maximum over long-on. IND 264/6 in 49 overs
16.58 IST: FOUR! Kohli hits Milne for a boundary to deep mid wicket. Full length delivery on middle, Kohli wrists it over cow corner for a one bounce boundary. IND 251/6 in 47 overs
16.57 IST: FOUR! Bhuvneshwar Kumar hits Milne for a boundary. Great shot! Leg cutter around off, Kumar reads it and goes inside out over covers. Has timed that really well and the ball races to the fence.
16.51 IST: OUT! Boult removes Pandya for 16. Take a bow, Kane Williamson! Length delivery on off, Pandya goes for an agricultural slog over long on but skews it off the outer half of the bat. Kane Williamson from extra cover sprints after it. Deep extra cover and long off are interested but the skipper calls for it. IND 238/6 in 45.3 overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar comes out to bat
16.50 IST: FOUR! Well played! Length delivery around off, Kohli backs away and lifts it nonchalantly over extra cover to pick up a boundary.
16.49 IST: Virat Kohli hits 31st hundred to overtake Ricky Ponting's record. India 228/5 in 44.3 overs. This man keeps on breaking records at will, going past Ricky Ponting to get his 31st ODI century. Short delivery on leg, Kohli pulls it all along the ground to deep square leg for a run. The Indian skipper raises his bat skywards to sink in all the applause. Got to credit him to bat this way in humid conditions. His fifth ton this year. Also, a century has been scored at the Wankhede after Tendulkar hit one in 1996.
16.43 IST: SIX! Brilliant shot! Pandya has a liking for left-arm spin and executes this shot really well. In the arc for Pandya, he opens up and smokes it over long on for a huge maximum. IND 224/5 in 44 overs
16.41 IST: Back-to-back boundaries for Kohli. Once again luck favours the Indian skipper! Well-directed bouncer on leg stump, Kohli goes for an ambitious pull but top edges it over a leaping Latham to find the fence again. IND 213/5 in 43 overs
16.41 IST: FOUR! Risky shot that from Kohli! Inside edge but the ball goes for a boundary. Fullish delivery around off, reversing in. Kohli goes for a booming drive but gets a thick inside edge past Latham and through to the fine leg fence. Moves into the nineties with that.
16.33 IST: OUT! Boult removes Dhoni for 25. IND 201/5 in 41 overs. Hardik Pandya is the new man in. He is known for his big-hitting. India will require it in the slog overs. Third wicket for Boult, he has having a great day at the office. Shortish delivery angling away from Dhoni, a bit of extra bounce on that. MS rises with the bounce and goes for a cut but isn't able to control it well. Guptill who is stationed at point crouches to his right and takes a good low catch. The 57-run stand comes to an end.
16.32 IST: 200 comes up for India. Kohli and Dhoni look firmly in control.
16.19 IST: FOUR! Back of a length delivery from Munro and Kohli hits him for a boundary. Strong wrists! Slower off cutter on middle, Kohli waits for it and whips it over mid-wicket for a rocketing boundary. IND 191/4 in 38 overs
16.15 IST: FOUR! Dhoni pulls Milne to backward square leg for a boundary. Perfectly executed! Short delivery on middle and leg, Dhoni rolls his wrists on it and pulls it through square leg. The man at long leg sprints to his left but the ball wins the race. IND 185/4 in 37 overs
16.14 IST: The partnership between Kohli and Dhoni will be key as India will look to get to a competitive total.
16.06 IST: FOUR! Those strong bottom hands come into play! Short and width on offer, Dhoni rises up on his toes and cuts it over a leaping Guptill at backward point. He has hit that really well and the ball races to the fence, 9 runs from the over. IND 168/4 in 34 overs
16.02 IST: Full delivery, Dhoni strokes it to long off for a run and will retain strike. Just two came off the over. IND 159/4 in 33 overs
Change of ends for Santner.
Drinks break. Good passage of play for India. Kohli is playing street-smart cricket on this two-paced track. He has got Dhoni for support and they would know what kind of a score would be competitive here. Full marks to the Kiwis for giving it their all in the hot and humid conditions. They will be aiming to take the wickets of these two quickly.
15.56 IST: Back of a length on middle, Kohli turns it to square leg for a run. 4 runs from the over. IND 157/4 in 32 overs
The other frontline bowler, Trent Boult comes back into the attack.
15.51 IST: Uppish but safe! Short delivery outside off, Kohli ramps it to third man for a run and will retain the strike. Another tidy over from Southee, just 4 runs from it. IND 153/4 in 31 overs
15.45 IST: Dhoni is off the mark! Full delivery outside off, MS eases it past the diving cover fielder to pick up a couple of runs. IND 149/4 in 30 overs
MS Dhoni strides out to bat. Chants of Dhoni Dhoni at the Wankhede. Who can forget his winning six that gave India the 2011 World Cup.
15.40 IST: OUT! The frontline bowler does the trick for New Zealand. Perhaps, Kane Williamson should have brought him back to bowl earlier. Bowls a sharp bouncer on leg stump, Karthik goes for the pull but is hurried on by it. Ends up getting a top edge towards long leg. Munro runs to his left and takes a well-judged catch. IND 144/4 in 28.4 overs
As expected, Tim Southee is brought back to break this flourishing stand.
15.35 IST: 5 runs from Munro's over, a decent one for the hosts. IND 143/3 in 28 overs
Boult is warming up. The on-air commentators feel that New Zealand have missed a trick by not bringing back Boult or Southee in the attack. You got to bowl your best bowlers against the best batsman in the opposition.
15.26 IST: FOUR! Dinesh Karthik hits Munro for a boundary to deep square leg. Poor delivery and duly punished! Short delivery down the leg side, Karthik pulls it with aplomb through backward square leg for a boundary. IND 132/3 in 26 overs
15.21 IST: FOUR! This time straight down the ground as Kohli brings up his 46 fifty in 62 balls. Fuller length ball on off, Kohli is on the move and drives it down the ground for a majestic boundary. He lifts his bat towards the dressing room. It has been a sensible knock for him. He was put down once by Santner on 29 and he is making good use of it. He will be eyeing a big one. IND 127/3 in 25 overs
15.20 IST: SIX! Kohli hits Munro for a maximum. Used the pace of the bowler to good effect. Short delivery down the leg side, Kohli pulls it towards fine leg. Munro is interested but the ball sails over the head. That brings up the 50-run stand between the two as well. The replays show that the ball took an outstanding one-handed catch. Kudos to the youngster, the crowd applauds for him.
15.09 IST: FOUR! Munro starts off with a freebie! He bowls a short ball, offers plenty of width and Karthik cashes in on it. Stands tall, rides the bounce and flays it through point for a boundary. IND 104/3 in 22 overs
15.07 IST: Colin de Grandhomme is walking off the field. He needs a bit of breather. Meanwhile, Glenn Phillips is the substitute fielder. Colin Munro to have a bowl now.
14.56 IST: Mitchell Santner drops Virat Kohli on 29! Let's see how costly will this prove for the Kiwis. Fuller length delivery outside off, stops a bit on the pitch. Kohli is drawn into the drive early and hence, mistimes it to Santner at short extra cover. He moves to his left but the ball bursts through his hands. He expected it to come slower and that was the reason he was caught off guard. It was a dolly and should have been taken. You can't afford to drop one of the best batsman in the world. IND 89/2 in 19 overs
14.54 IST: FOUR! Karthik hits Grandhomme for a boundary towards long on. Well played! Length delivery on off, Karthik checks his shot uppishly through mid on. He has made good contact and the ball whistles away to the fence.
14.50 IST: FOUR! Karthik hits Santner for a boundary to sweeper cover. A bit of room and Karthik pouches on it. Short delivery, Dinesh rocks back and cuts it past the point fielder to find the fence. IND 81/3 in 18 overs
14.41 IST: Dinesh Karthik walks out to bat. This is his first ODI match in India since 2010.
14.40 IST: OUT! Santner removes Jadhav for 12. Intelligent bowling from Santner brings in the reward. He bowls this one slower through the air in line of the stumps, it stops a bit on the batsman as well. Jadhav is early into the drive and hence, ends up chipping it to the left side of Santner who moves to his left and gobbles it up with ease. IND 71/3 in 15.2 overs
14.39 IST: FOUR! Jadhav hits Santner to third man for a boundary! Brave shot! Coming in with the arm from outside off, Jadhav cuts it late and gets it past Taylor at slip. Once it went past him, it was destined to reach the fence.
14.37 IST: FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Kohli off de Grandhomme. Fullish delivery outside off, Kohli goes for a drive but gets an outside edge past the keeper. The third man fielder puts in a desperate dive to his left but comes second best. IND 67/2 in 15 overs
14.36 IST: FOUR! Kohli opens the face of the bat and hits Colin de Grandhomme between point and third man. Fuller in length well outside off, Kohli plays away from the body but gets it off the outer half through the vacant gully region and the ball races to the fence. It seemed at the beginning that Guptill at point was in business but is was far away from him.
14.27 IST: Santner gives away 3 runs in his first over. IND 51/2 in 12 overs
14.24 IST: Boult is going off the field after his first spell. Meanwhile, spinner Mitchell Santner comes on for a bowl.
14.23 IST: FOUR! Four Leg byes! Shortish delivery angling in from outside off, Jadhav arches his back in an attempt to leave it but the ball hits his stomach and deflects towards third man. Boult rushes to his left, slides but fails to stop it. Great effort though. IND 48/2 in 11 overs
14.20 IST: FOUR! Superb shot from Kohli, hits Milne for a boundary though covers. Textbook stuff from the Indian skipper. Half-volley outside off, Kohli leans into it and plays a majestic cover drive to pick up a boundary.
14.18 IST: Boult gives away just a single off his fifth over. IND 37/2 in 10 overs
14.14 IST: Adam Milne concedes just a single run. IND 36/2 in 9 overs
14.10 IST: Great over from Boult! Just a single off it. IND 35/2 in 8 overs
14.06 IST: Good over from Southee, just 4 off it. IND 34/2 in 7 overs
13.58 IST: OUT! Boult takes his 2nd, castles Rohit for 20. It is always a dream for a pace bowler to witness such a sight. Bowls a full length delivery at 141 clicks around off, Rohit goes for a wild slog over mid on but misses it completely to get his off stump rattled. It was a poor shot from the Indian vice-captain and he pays the price for it. Fails to make his start count. IND 29/2 in 5.4 overs. Kedar Jadhav comes out to bat. India in a spot of bother early on. Can he steady the ship along with the Indian skipper?
13.53 IST: SIX! Action replay from Rohit Sharma! Another short ball from Southee and Rohit hits it over fine leg for back-to-back sixes. Another bouncer on leg stump, Rohit pulls it more convincingly. Adam Milne again leaps but to no avail. IND 29/1 in 5 overs
13.52 IST: SIX! Short ball from Southee and Rohit pulled it over fine leg for a maximum. Short delivery on middle and leg, Rohit comes on the front foot initially but the ball gets big on him. He still goes through with his pull shot but gets a top edge. Milne leaps full stretch near the ropes but the ball sails over him.
13.46 IST: OUT! Boult removes Dhawan for 9. The left-arm seam of Boult has reaped dividends! He steams and bowls a back of a length delivery close to the off stump. Generates some extra bounce from the deck and Dhawan goes fishing after it, aiming to get it towards third man. However, ends up getting an outside edge towards Latham behind the wickets who moves to his left and takes a regulation catch. IND 16/1 in 3.2 overs. Virat Kohli walks out to bat in his 200th ODI.
13.44 IST: Decent over from Southee, just four runs off it. IND 16/0 in 3 overs
13.40 IST: Boult gives away 4 runs. IND 12/0 in 2 overs
13.37 IST: Good effort, Kane! Fractionally overpitched outside off, Rohit strokes it past the diving cover fielder. Williamson from mid off sprints after it and slides near the fence to keep the ball in play. Saves a run for his side.
13.36 IST: Trent Boult to share the new ball with Southee.
13.33 IST: FOUR! Half-volley from Southee and Dhawan guides it through the extra cover for a boundary. Cracker of a shot! Half-volley around off, Dhawan drives it elegantly through extra cover to find the fence. First of the innings. IND 8/0 in 1 over
13.30 IST: Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma to open the batting for India. Tim Southee to open the proceedings for New Zealand. Here we go...
13.28 IST: The players are getting ready for their respective National Anthems. After their completion, we are set to get underway.
13.20 IST: Team News
Two changes for India. Ajinkya Rahane and Manish Pandey miss out while Shikhar Dhawan and Dinesh Karthik get a game. On the other hand, the visitors are going in with three seamers and one spinner. Presence of a few talented all-rounders as well.
13.15 IST: Captain's Corner
Virat Kohli: We are going to bat first. It looks a good wicket, conditions are pretty hot and humid out there and it will be tough out there for everybody. Especially the bowlers and fielders, after which they have to bat later on. (On the track being a belter) It looks a batting paradise but should have more bounce than other surfaces in India. Looks similar to the one we played at Calcutta where it was good to bat but not much bounce. Mumbai is always a different ball game altogether. We want to maximise the batting conditions first up.
Kane Williamson: Very humid of course. Nice to come here early to adjust to it. Really good surface, we would have batted first as well but will now look to exploit the early swing. (On the squad) Couple of new faces in the middle order, Henry Nicholls and Colin de Grandhomme as well. Some exciting talent, Tom Latham taking the gloves and batting in the middle order. Mix of experience and youth in the side, we do have good experience in the bowling too. We are sticking with our experienced pace attack, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Adam Milne. One spinner, three seamers and a few all-rounders is our team balance.
13.10 IST: Playing XIs
India: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (C), Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (WK), Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Trent Boult
13.00 IST: TOSS! India win toss, opt to bat against New Zealand in Virat Kohli's 200th ODI.
12.55 IST: Toss coming up from Mumbai in a few minutes. So, don't go anywhere!
12.50 IST: The second ODI will take place in Pune on Wednesday, with the third to be held in Kanpur on October 29. The two sides will then play three T20I matches. New Zealand are currently ranked fifth in the world.
12.45 IST: For New Zealand, spinner Ish Sodhi, who was originally only named in the T20I squad, had replaced injured Todd Astle in the ODI side.
India, who are currently standing second in the ODI rankings, can regain the top ODI spot from South Africa if they win the series against New Zealand by 3-0.
12.40 IST: As far as the squad is concerned, Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik and Shardul Thakur returned for the three-match series against New Zealand, while there was still no room for Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the Indian 50-over side.
12.35 IST: The Men in Blue, who have been performing exceedingly well at home, will be raring to give a fitting tribute to skipper Virat Kohli, who is all set to play his 200th ODI.
12.30 IST: Riding high on confidence following their recent 4-1 win over world champions Australia, India will look to continue their winning momentum at home turf when they take on New Zealand in the first ODI of the three-match series, beginning at the Wankhede Stadium.
Brief Preview: Hardly challenged in a dominating run this season, India will once again start overwhelming favourites when they take on an inconsistent-but-gritty New Zealand in a three-match ODI series, starting tomorrow at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The Indians are on a high after comprehensively thrashing world champions Australia earlier this month. And the Black Caps will have to come up with really a special effort to make a mark against the rampaging hosts.
Banking on settled batting and bowling combinations with most of the columns ticked, the hosts appear to be too well- groomed a unit for the comfort of the visitors. Although India suffered a resounding loss to South Africa on a belter of a track at this very venue three seasons ago, they went on to win three series on the trot in their backyard and are now a force to reckon with in the upcoming series.
In fact, since surrendering to Australia back in 2009-10, India have lost only to Pakistan (2012) and South Africa in 16 bilateral rubbers, a clear indication of how dominant they have been in familiar conditions. (Read Full Preview).
