Shreyas Iyer remained unbeaten on 58 as India defeated New Zealand by six wickets in the first Twenty20 International of the five-match series on Friday. Chasing 204 for the win, opening batsman KL Rahul and India captain Virat Kohli put on 99 runs for the second wicket to help the visitors stay ahead of the asking rate. Virat Kohli missed his 25th half-century by just five runs while Manish Pandey also remained not out on 14. Earlier, New Zealand had posted a challenging total of 203 for five from their allotted 20 overs. Colin Munro was the top-scorer for the hosts with a knock of 59 off 42 deliveries while Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor also struck fifties. For India, Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of one for 31 in his four overs. The second T20I will be played on Sunday. (SCORECARD)
Highlights Between New Zealand vs India 1st T20I, straight from Eden Park, Auckland
Thank you for joining us for the live coverage of the first T20 International between New Zealand and India. We will be back on Sunday with the second match between the two sides. With the win today, India lead the five-match series 1-0.
Ish Sodhi has beaten the outside edge of Shreyas Iyer's bat and Tim Seifert whipped the bails off in a flash but the replays confirm that his foot was inside. Iyer survives.
KL Rahul smashes Blair Tickner straight over long-on for a six as he brings up his 10th T20I fifty. India's total also goes past 100 in the ninth over.
India are 65 for one after the first six overs. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli are looking in good touch but New Zealand will be ruing the missed chance in the sixth over where they could've broken the partnership between these two.
New Zealand could have had Virat Kohli first and then they had the chance to send back KL Rahul but the fielders spilled the chance as two fielders tried to hit the stumps but missed on both occasions. Lucky escape for India.
India Cricket Team
New Zealand Cricket Team
Virat Kohli
Kane Williamson