Latham, Taylor spoils Kohli’s party

India skipper’s gritty 121 goes in vain as duo stitches 200run partnership to guide New Zealand to upset sixwicket victory

MUMBAI: Tom Latham (103*) and Ross Taylor (95) raised a record 200–run fourth wicket stand to spoil Virat Kohli’s party as New Zealand won the first ODI by six wickets to take the lead in the three-match series on Sunday.

Former skipper Taylor and Lat ham revived the New Zealand innings before guiding them to victory. New Zealand scored 284 for four in 49 overs.

Virat Kohli had marked his 200th ODI with his 31st century – (121 – 125 b, 9x4, 2x6) – braving the heat and humidity after electing to bat.It took India to 280for eight.

The fourth-wicket double-century stand between Latham and Taylor off 187 balls – highest for New Zealand playing away – began in the 18th over after the Kiwis lost Martin Guptill (32) after a strong start, with captain Kane Williamson (6) and Colin Munro (28) dismissed in quick succession.

Soft-hand dabs for singles, sharp running between the wickets and some luck carried Taylor and Latham. The 150-run stand was completed off 152 balls, with only 44 runs coming in boundaries. In fact, the first six of the partnership was hit in the 44th over, but with runs coming quickly, India ran out of ideas.

KOHLI EFFORT IN VAIN

Taylor scored a 98-ball 95 with eight fours while Latham remained unbeaten on 103 (102 b, 8x4, 2x6). The Kiwis played spoilsport for Kohli after he marked his 200th ODI with a gritty century. Kohli waged a lone battle to score his fifth century of 2017 and 31st overall, which took him past Ricky Ponting in the list for most ODI tons. Dinesh Karthik’s 37 was the second highest score and his 73–run fourth-wicket stand

with Kohli helped India put up a challenging total.

BOULT BAGS FOUR

For New Zealand, left-arm pacer Trent Boult struck twice early and finished with 4/35. Kohli’s effort seemed to have given India enough to tame New Zealand with the spin threat of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal looming

large. They gave away less than five runs an over, but could take only one wicket between them with skip per Kane Williamson (6) caught at extra cover off the Chinaman bowler.

Munro and G up till added 48 by the ninth over. Munro was dropped by Jadhav but was undo ne by as lower delivery from Bumrah .

AP Ross Taylor (right) and Tom Latham set a new record for the highest ever partnership for New Zealand against India by adding 200 runs for the fourth wicket.