Auckland, Jan 24 (UNI) Riding on a brilliant innings by Colin Munro (59 off 42), Ross Taylor (54 off 27) and Kane Williamson (51 off 26), New Zealand posted a huge total of 203-5 in the first T20I of the five-match series against India at Eden Park, here on Friday.
Apart from the trio of Munro, Williamson and Taylor, Martin Guptill (30 off 19) also made useful contribution with the bat and helped Black Caps post a challenging total at Eden Park.
After being put into bat first, New Zealand were off to a flier, registering their highest powerplay score (68) against India.
Kiwi openers Colin Munro and Martin Guptill batted freely and shared a 80-run partnership for the first wicket. Shivam Dube got the first breakthrough for India, dismissing Guptill, who scored 30 runs from 19 balls.
After Guptill's wicket, captain Kane Williamson joined Colin Munro, who looked solid out in the middle. Both Munro and Williamson took the attack to Indian fast bowlers, without taking extra risks and took Kiwis to 102/1 after 11 overs.
Munro scored 59 runs from 42 balls before losing his wicket to Shardul Thakur. Colin de Grandhomme, who came to bat next, didn't trouble the scorers and got out for a two-ball duck to Ravindra Jadeja.
From there on, Ross Taylor and Williamson played some nice shots and put pressure back on India. Ross Taylor found his rhythm. During the process, Williamson also scored his 10th T20I fifty.
Just when it looked like New Zealand were cruising towards a mammoth total, Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed Kane Williamson. Kiwi captain departed for a 26-ball 51, after stitching a 50-plus stand with Ross Taylor. Soon, Tim Seifert got after scoring just a single.
Meanwhile, Ross Taylor scored his first T20I fifty in six years. His innings was laced with three sixes and as many fours.
In the end, Jasprit Bumrah did a fine job at the death to keep hosts New Zealand to 203/5 in 20 overs.
For India, Jasprit Bumrah (1/31), Shardul Thakur (1/44), Yuzvendra Chahal (1/32), Shivam Dube (1/24) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/18) snapped one wicket each.
Brief Score:
New Zealand: 203 for 5 in 20 overs (Colin Munro 59, Kane Williamson 51, Ross Taylor 54; Jasprit Bumrah 1/31).
UNI AVK RJ 1436