Shikhar Dhawan scored a match-winning knock of 75 runs (not out) as India defeated New Zealand by eight wickets in the first One Day International in Napier to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series. Besides Dhawan, India's number four batsman Ambati Rayudu was unbeaten on 13 as India chased down the revised target of 156 runs with 85 balls to spare in Napier. India captain Virat Kohli contributed with a 45-run knock and shared a 91-run stand with Shikhar Dhawan for the third-wicket. The match was halted for 30 minutes due to bad weather and play was reduced to 49 overs with a revised target of 156. India opener Dhawan also completed his 5,000 ODI runs before guiding India to 41 without loss in nine overs at dinner-break. Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav picked up four wickets while Mohammed Shami took three wickets as India wrapped up New Zealand for 157 runs in 38 overs in the first ODI of the five-match series in Napier. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson top-scored with 64 runs but the hosts failed to put up an impressive show after opting to bat in the series opener. Virat Kohli's Team India are riding high on the success of their historic tour of Australia. They recently registered their first-ever bilateral ODI series win on Australian soil.
Highlights Between India vs New Zealand 1st ODI, from Napier.
14:15 IST: That brings an end to the first ODI between India and New Zealand in Napier. Thank you for joining us for the live coverage.
14:09 IST: India beat New Zealand by eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series. Shikhar Dhawan smashed an unbeaten 75-run knock as India chased down the revised target of 156 runs with 85 balls to spare in Napier.
14:06 IST: FOUR! The scores are level now. Ambati Rahutu hits it over the cover region to get a boundary.
13:57 IST: India need 10 runs off 100 balls to win the first ODI in Napier. The home team captain would not have imagined such a situation before the start of the series.
13:51 IST: Shikhar Dhawan (68*) is leading the charge and Ambati Rayudu (7*) is supporting him from the other end as India move slowly and steadily towards the target.
13:47 IST: End of 30 overs. India are 139/2, need 17 runs to win the series opener in Napier.
13:42 IST: Ambati Rayudu comes to bat at number four.
13:40 IST: WICKET! Lockie Ferguson dismisses Virat Kohli to break the 91-run stand. It was a short length delivery from Ferguson that took a top edge off the Kohli's willow and wicket-keeper Tom Latham made no mistake. India are still much in control.
13:35 IST: Indian are now just 30 runs away from the victory in Napier. They have 22 overs and nine wickets in hand.
13:29 IST: End of the over! Six runs from the over by Mitchell Santner. India are 123/1 in 26 overs, need 33 runs to win.
13:24 IST: Not Out! Snicko metre show there's a thin inside edge. India retain the review and their captain Virat Kohli is safe.
13:23 IST: Is Virat Kohli gone? The umpire says out. The Indian captain has opted for review.
13:18 IST: FIFTY! Shikhar Dhawan scores his 26th ODI half-century off 69 balls to lift India to 109/1 in 22.5 overs. The visitors now need 47 runs to win. Dhawan had not scored a 50-plus knock in ODIs in his previous nine innings.
13:10 IST: 100 up for India. Virat Kohli (30*) and Shikhar Dhawan (48*) are leading India's charge in a small chase of 156 runs. The stand between the two batsmen is now 59 runs.
13:05 IST: Trent Boult starts with an economical over, concedes just two runs. India are 94/1 in 19 overs, need 62 runs to win.
13:01 IST: Trent Boult is back into the attack.
12:59 IST: Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan bring up 50-run partnership for the third-wicket. India are 91/1 in 17 overs, need 65 runs to win.
12:57 IST: Another wide! New Zealand bowlers continue to gift India some bonus runs in a small chase.
12:53 IST: FOUR! Virat Kohli finds the gap between the fielders to get a boundary. It was in the air but deceived the fielder diving in from the covers. India reach 84/1 in 15.5 overs.
12:51 IST: New Zealand introduce spinner into the attack. Mitchell Santner to bowl from the other end.
12:47 IST: FOUR! This time with elegance. The Indian captain plays a late cutter to guide the ball across the fence for a second consecutive boundary.
12:46 IST: FOUR! Virat Kohli pulls it over the mid-wicket to get a boundary.
12:44 IST: End of the 14th over by Doug Bracewell. Three runs off it. With the reduced target in vision, India are moving cautiously towards the target.
12:38 IST: FOUR! Leg byes. Some bonus runs for India. India reach 59/1 in 12.3 overs.
12:36 IST: FOUR! Shikhar Dhawan follows it up with a beautiful cover drive to get some quick runs for India.
12:35 IST: Shikhar Dhawan dropped on 31. Wicket-keeper Tom Latham is the culprit. Add to that, Dhawan takes a quick single to take India past 50.
12:32 IST: End of the over! Three runs from the over. India are 46/1 in 11 overs.
12:28 IST: The play resumes in Napier. One over has been reduced and the target has been revised to 156 runs.
12:21 IST: The shadow has covered the pitch completely now but there is still some danger for the wicket-keeper and slip fielders. So there's will be a few more minutes delay in Napier.
12:00 IST: According to the on-field umpires Shaun Haig and Shaun George, the match might resume in 30 minutes and there will be no loss of overs.
11:51 IST: The players are walking off the ground due to adverse weather condition. The batsmen are being distracted by the sunlight. The play has been stopped due to bad weather.
11:48 IST: Indian captain Virat Kohli comes to the crease.
11:46 IST: WICKET! Doug Bracewell strikes at his home ground. Rohit Sharma departs on 11. India lose their first wicket just after the dinner-break. The visitors are 41/1 in 9.2 overs, need 117 runs to win.
11:44 IST: We are back for the live action. Openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are out in the middle to resume India's chase in Napier. Doug Bracewell to bowl the first over after dinner-break.
11:01 IST: FOUR! Shikhar Dhawan plays an upper cut to get a boundary at the stroke of dinner-break. India are 41 without loss in nine overs, need 117 runs to win.
10:58 IST: Bowling change! Lockie Ferguson comes into the attack.
10:56 IST: FOUR! That shows his class. Tim Southee bowls too wide, Shikhar Dhawan takes his time and guides it beutifully through the gap between point fielders.
10:54 IST: FOUR! Nice punch from Shikhar Dhawan. He plays a clean off-drive to get some quick runs for the team and power India to 30 without loss in 7.1 overs.
10:51 IST: FOUR! Shikhar Dhawan plays flicks it away to the backward square leg for a boundary.
10:49 IST: FOUR! Rohit Sharma plays a confident shot down the ground. India are 17 without loss in 5.5 overs.
10:48 IST: 5,000 ODI runs up for Shikhar Dhawan. He takes a single to reach the milestone. Dhawan is the second fastest Indian to reach 5,000 ODI runs.
10:45 IST: A loud appeal for LBW against Shikhar Dhawan falls on deaf ear. Trent Boult deceives Dhawan with a low full toss. Both the new ball bowlers are targeting that region for the Indian opener. India get one run leg bye.
10:41 IST: FOUR! This time a thick edge but the ball flies away swiftly through the backward point for a boundary. India are now 10 without loss, need 148 runs to win.
10:39 IST: Impressive. Tim Southee discomforts Shikhar Dhawan with an inswinging yorker.
10:36 IST: Inside edge but safe. Rohit Sharma gets lucky there, remains unbeaten on two.
10:33 IST: Tim Southee concedes three runs in the over. India openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are watchful in the easy chase and will look to guide India to an emphatic win.
10:30 IST: Tim Southee to bowl from the other end.
10:29 IST: End of the first over. Just two runs off it. India are 156 runs away from the target.
10:24 IST: Openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are out in the middle to start India's small chase. Trent Boult to open the attack for New Zealand.
10:16 IST: WICKET! Kuldeep Yadav claims four wickets as India bundle out New Zealand for 157 runs in 38 overs. Mohammed Shami took three wickets for India, Yuzvendra Chahal contributed with two wickets. Captain Kane Williamson top-scored for New Zealand with 64 runs.
10:14 IST: SIX! TIm Southee gets maximum off a decent delivery by Kuldeep Yadav. He lofts it up through the mid-wicket region for a six.
10:12 IST: Trent Boult being lucky there. He survives the 37th over by Yuzvendra Chahal. New Zealand are 150/9 in 37 overs.
10:08 IST: Trent Boult, the last man, comes to the crease.
10:06 IST: WICKET! Lockie Ferguson departs for zero. Kuldeep Yadav claims his third wickets as MS Dhoni does a bit of magic from behind the stumps. New Zealand are 148/9 in 35.2 overs.
10:05 IST: A stumping appeal. Lockie Ferguson is the man in question.
10:01 IST: Lockie Ferguson comes to the crease.
10:00 IST: WICKET! Two wickets in an over for Kuldeep Yadav. Doug Bracewell departs for seven. New Zealand are eight down and now the tail-enders will look to contribute a bit to the total.
09:58 IST: Tim Southee comes to the crease.
09:56 IST: WICKET! Kuldeep Yadav removes Kane Williamson for 64 just after the drinks-break. New Zealand are 146/7 in 33.1 overs. This brings and end to the resistance by New Zealand captain.
09:54 IST: Drink-break! India took complete control of the match in the early hours of the game in Napier. Mohammed Shami claimed three wickets, while Yuzvendra Chahal took two wickets.
09:51 IST: FOUR! Safest shot in the world. Straight down the ground. No fielder was there. Doug Bracewell takes New Zealand to 146/6 in 32.5 overs.
09:49 IST: Doug Bracewell survives the 34th over by Kuldeep Yadav. And takes a single off the last delivery to keep the strike.
09:47 IST: A slip and leg slip for Doug Bracewell. India are eyeing an easy target now.
09:42 IST: Yuzvendra Chahal is back into the attack. Can he too claim his third wicket?
09:40 IST: Doug Bracewell comes to the crease.
09:38 IST: WICKET! Mohammed Shami claims his third wicket, dismisses Mitchell Santner for 14 runs. Santner trapped LBW as New Zealand left reeling at 133/6 in 29.4 overs. Kane Williamson didn't opt for a review.
09:34 IST: India lose their review. This time, MS Dhoni misjudged it. Hard to believe though. Mitchell Santner is safe and confident as ever. New Zealand are 132/5 in 28.4 overs.
09:32 IST: FOUR! Captain Kane WIlliamson gets some quick runs for the team. This partnership between Williamson and Mitchell Santner is going to be very crucial for the home team.
09:30 IST: FOUR! Nicely deflected by Mitchell Santner. It was a shortish delivery from Mohammed Shami, Santner pulls it confidently to guide the ball past MS Dhoni for four.
09:27 IST: Mohammed Shami is back into the attack. He helped India get rid of the New Zealand opener inside first four overs.
09:23 IST: SIX! A fearless shot from Mitchell Santner. He lifts it beautifully over the long-on for the maximum.
09:22 IST: FIFTY! Kane Williamson scores his 36th ODI half-century off 63 balls. He takes two runs to power New Zealand to 114/5 in 25.5 overs.
09:17 IST: Mitchell Santner comes to the crease. Keldeep Yadav to continue for India.
09:15 IST: WICKET! Kuldeep Yadav takes a stunner as Kedar Jadhav removes Henry Nicholls for 12. New Zealand reach 107/5 in 24 overs. India will now look to wrap New Zealand innings as quickly as possible.
09:13 IST: FOUR! In the air... but lands just short of boundary and New Zealand get another one-bounce boundary.
09:11 IST: 100 comes up for New Zealand. Kane Williamson takes New Zealand to the triple digit with a comfortable single.
09:07 IST: FOUR! Well-judged shot. Henry Nicholls welcomes Kedar Jadhav with a boundary. Even though it was a loose ball from Jadhav, Nicholls slapped it beautifully through the extra cover for four.
09:06 IST: Kedar Jadhav comes into the attack.
09:05 FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries conclude 21st over. Kane Williamson pulls this one away even better to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.
09:04 IST: FOUR! It's the shot Kane Williamson was looking for since the start of his innings.
09:02 IST: 20 overs gone! New Zealand are 81 for four with captain Kane Williamson fighting for the hosts with 29 runs.
08:57 IST: Henry Nicholls comes to the crease.
08:55 IST: WICKET! A second caught and bowled for Yuzvendra Chahal. Tom Latham departs on 11, New Zealand are 76/4 in 18.5 overs. The wicket came just after an imposing boundary by Latham. India remain on the top in Napier.
08:53 IST: FOUR! Tom Latham lifts it up over the mid-wicket for a one-bounce four.
08:51 IST: End of the over! Kuldeep Yadav concedes three runs. New Zealand get to 69/3 in 18 overs.
08:48 IST: Keldeep Yadav replaces Vijay Shankar.
08:44 IST: Kane Williamson dropped! Kedar Jadhav is the culprit. Jadhav drops the New Zealand skipper at fine leg, he was on 20. Williamson takes a single to keep the strike.
08:41 IST: FOUR! Kane Williamson pulls it away to fine leg for a boundary, takes New Zealand to 58/3 in 15.2 overs.
08:38 IST: Tom Latham comes to bat at number five.
08:35 IST: CAUGHT & BOWLED! Yuzvendra Chahal strikes to trap the big fish. Ross Taylor departs on 24, New Zealand are 52/3 in 14.3 overs. This brings an end to the 34-run stand between Taylor and Kane Williamson.
08:32 IST: FOUR! 50 up for India. Kane Williamson plays a backfoot punch to punish Vijay Shankar after a couple of economical overs. New Zealand reach 52/2 in 13.3 overs.
08:30 IST: FOUR! Ross Taylor defeats Virat Kohli at backward point, plays a cut shoot to get drive it over the head of the fielder.
08:25 IST: Another economical over by Viijay Shankar. Just two runs from it. Kane Williamson (9*) and Ross Taylor (17*) take New Zealand to 40 for two in 12 overs.
08:21 IST: 1 run! Kane Williamson takes a single to keep the strike. Four runs from the over by Yuzvendra Chahal.
08:18 IST: Virat Kohli introduces spinner. Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl the 11th over.
08:17 IST: End of the over! Just one run from it. New Zealand are 34/2 after 10 overs. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are solid at the crease, looking to stabilise New Zealand after early jolts.
08:13 IST: Vijay Shankar comes into the attack.
08:10 IST: FOUR! That's a calculated shot by Ross Taylor. He lofts it over the mid-wicket region to get a one-bounce four. New Zealand get to 32 for two in 8.3 overs.
08:07 IST: FOUR! Slapped it with full force. Ross Taylor starts his game in Napier. It was a short of a length delivery from Mohammed Shami and Taylor pulled it away through the gap at mid-wicket for a boundary.
08:03 IST: End of the over! Just one run from the over by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. New Zealand are 20 for two after seven overs.
08:01 IST: Ross Taylor finally gets off to the mark after 11 deliveries, takes a quick single.
07:59 IST: Mohammed Shami concludes another maiden over. New Zealand are 19 for two in first six overs. Kane Williamson (6*) and Ross Taylor (0*) are at the crease, the pair had troubled India a lot during their last outing in 2014.
07:57 IST: Kane Williamson edged but falls just short of skipper Virat Kohli at point.
07:48 IST: Ross Taylor comes to the crease.
07:47 IST: WICKET! Mohammed Shami strikes again! He claims the wicket of opener Colin Munro for 8 runs. New Zealand are in deep trouble now. They have lost both their openers inside first three overs. Kane Williamson's plan to bat first hasn't worked well so far.
07:44 IST: FOUR! Colin Munro hits back-to-back boundaries to lift New Zealand after early blow.
07:40 IST: Captain Kane Williamson comes to the crease.
07:38 IST: WICKET! Mohammed Shami strikes early to get Martin Guptill for five. New Zealand are 5/1 in 1.5 overs. With this, Mohammed Shami completes his 100 ODI wickets. He is the fastest to take 100 ODI wickets.
07:36 IST: A loud LBW appeal against Martin Guptill falls on deaf ear. Mohammed Shami is dominating the New Zealander at the moment.
07:32 IST: FOUR! Martin Guptill gets off to the mark with a boundary. He tucks it away to the square leg for some quick runs. New Zealand are four without loss in 0.2 overs.
07:30 IST: We are ready for the first ball. New Zealand openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro are at the crease. Bhuvneshwar Kumar will open the attack for India.
07:25 IST: New Zealand Playing XI: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (w), Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
07:20 IST: India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), MS Dhoni (w), Kedar Jadhav, Ambati Rayudu, Vijay Shankar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami
07:15 IST: "The bowlers have played a major part in us being a top team than the batsmen really. It's a batsmen's game and the crowd come in to see fours and sixes. I feel that our side is very balanced at the moment with good depth in batting and bowling. Pretty relaxed with where we stand as a team. It's going to be a competitive series. New Zealand are a good side and they play with the right spirit," says Virat Kohli at the toss.
07:05 IST: "Looks a good surface here and we want to put a score on the board. We know India are a good chasing side but we want to put runs on the board and I'm sure the surface will play the same throughout," says Kane Williamson at the toss.
07:00 IST: Toss! New Zealand captain Kane Williamson wins toss, opts to bat in Napier.
06:50 IST: Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the first ODI between India and New Zealand in Napier.
"The fact they are No 3 in the world speaks about their consistency over the last couple of years. We played them in India and got beaten in Mumbai, and all the games were competitive and we felt they had a really good balance," Kohli said at the pre-series press conference. "They have that energy and that buzz about them and they play their cricket in the right way which is something we always appreciate," Kohli added. For the Indian team, some of the issues that need to be addressed are Shikhar Dhawan's form, Dhoni's batting position and how to get the balance right till all-rounder Hardik Pandya comes back from suspension.
Dhawan's position at the top of the order is under no imminent threat but a highest score of 35 in the last nine games doesn't make a pretty picture. An immensely talented Shubman Gill has been selected as a reserve opener but it is unlikely that Dhawan will be dropped after a few failures. The No.4 position is another area of concern for India as Ambati Rayudu, after an inexplicable retirement from first-class cricket, looked completely out of sorts and is unlikely to regain his place in the side. Dhoni did well as a No.4 in the final ODI against Australia but Kohli is likely to use him more as a floater depending on match situations.