New Zealand middle-order batsmen Tom Latham and Ross Taylor stitched a 200-run stand to gun down target of 281 against India and help their team go 1-0 up in the three-match ODI series in Mumbai on Sunday, October 22.
Latham, who was the top-scorer when New Zealand lost 3-2 in a five-match series last year, continued his fine form in India as he struck his fourth ODI ton (101). Veteran batsman, Taylor brought in all his experience to provide a wonderful support to his left-handed partner.
The two batsmen got together when New Zealand were in a spot of bother after losing three wickets, including captain Kane Williamson cheaply, for just 80 runs.
Indian wrist-spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal had relished bowling when the opposition was under pressure in the past. The two had demolished the Australian middle order during India's 4-1 ODI series win over Steve Smith's men earlier this month.
However, Latham and Taylor proved their efficiency against spin as the two did not allow Chahal and Kuldeep to settle down. The left-hander employed his sweep shots to great effect against both the spinners.
It was a special stand between Latham and Taylor as the two never took risks, but still managed to keep the asking rate under their control throughout the innings.
Loved the Wankhede crowd applauding Latham's century. That is how sport is watched. Support your team but acknowledge the opposition skill
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 22, 2017
This is as good an example of pacing a run chase as you will see. Latham has been hugely impressive. Theirs to lose from here.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 22, 2017
Earlier in the day, Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli struck a 125-ball 121 to help India post 280 on a humid afternoon.
After winning the toss, Kohli, who was playing his 200th ODI, opted to bat on a humid day in Mumbai. Contrary to his expectations, Indian openers Rohit Sharma (20) and Shikhar Dhawan (9) fell cheaply as Trent Boult got the white ball swinging early in the innings.
Boult finished with figures of 35 for four from his quota of 10 overs, much to the delight of his captain. The left-arm fast bowler, as predicted, provided the crucial breakthroughs to his team after braving the humidity in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, Kohli, who looked determined to get a big one from the word go, then stitched a solid 74-run stand with Dinesh Karthik, who made his comeback into the Indian ODI team after missing the Sri Lanka and Australia series earlier this year.
Karthik (37) though failed to convert a good start into a big one as he fell to Tim Southee in the 29th over. Wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni then combined well with skipper Kohli and stitched a 67-run stand to help India cruise towards a comfortable total.
Kohli kept finding the odd boundaries and reached his 31st ODI century towards the end of the innings after which he injected pace with some big shots.
