PIX: Latham hits century as NZ whip India in 1st ODI

Images from the first One-Day International between New Zealand and India, in Auckland, on Friday.

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Tom Latham blasted a hundred and Kane Williamson narrowly missed one as New Zealand cruised past India by seven wickets in the first One-Day International, in Auckland, on Friday.

The victory extended the Kiwis' unbeaten run in ODIs at home, having won 13 matches in a row since 2019.

Latham stroked a magnificent 145 off 104 balls, while Williamson was content playing second fiddle before finishing with 94 off 98.

The duo put on an unbroken stand of 221 runs to take the Kiwis past the tourists’ total off 306 for 7 in 47.1 overs.

Earlier, Shreyas Iyer scored a 76-ball 80 and Washington Sundar hit a 16-ball 37 to guide India to a competitive total, which also had useful contributions from Shikhar Dhawan (72 off 77) and Shubman Gill (50 off 65).

On the Eden Park ground where a 300-plus total was chased just once, India fancied their chances after posting 306 and then having the New Zealanders reeling at 88 for 3 in the 20th over.

However, the hosts had the last laugh, attaining the target with 17 balls to spare, thanks to Latham's unbeaten fourth-wicket partnership of 221-runs.

At the end of the 39th over, New Zealand needed 91 off 66 balls at nearly 8.30 runs an over, but by the time Shardul Thakur (1/63)  completed a forgettable 40th over, they were in control after Latham amassed 25 runs with the help of four fours and a six.

That over swung the match firmly New Zealand's way as India’s bowlers struggled to contain the marauding Latham.

Latham's belligerent innings comprised as many as 19 boundaries and five sixes, while Williamson hit seven fours and one maximum.

Tearaway pacer Umran Malik (2/66) made his presence felt on debut with his thunderbolts after an impressive show by the Indian batters, though the youngster from Jammu proved expensive.

Earlier, Shreyas Iyer put behind the ignominy of a first-ball duck in his previous outing with a classy half-century before Washington Sundar blazed away to a 16-ball 37 to guide India to a competitive 306 for 7.

Besides Iyer's 76-ball 80, Shikhar Dhawan (72 off 77 balls) and Shubman Gill (50 off 65) also scored fluent fifties after the tourists were sent in to bat.

Sundar smashed three sixes and as many fours to prop India at the death, while Iyer hit four maximums and four boundaries, having entered the game after a duck in the third and final T20 International against the Kiwis two days ago.

New Zealand decided to field first after winning the toss, and while Kane Williamson's bowlers prevented the Indians from getting off to a flyer, skipper Dhawan and Gill opened up after being watchful.

Having got to 40 in the first 10 overs after Gill was dropped by Lockie Ferguson off the bowling of Matt Henry, the Indian openers sought to improve the run-rate and looked for boundaries.

Their quest paid off as India went past 100 in the 21st over, both Dhawan and Gill clearing the ropes on a regular basis.

Dhawan slashed Henry behind deep point and clipped him off the pads in the 15th over for two successive fours.

India’s captain then got two more boundaries, off Adam Milne, including a smart upper cut to bring up the hundred.

Having already hit two sixes over long-on and third man, for which he employed an excellent ramp shot, Gill got his third maximum when he smashed left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner down the ground and into the sightscreen.

Even as Dhawan got two boundaries against Tim Southee, Gill swept Santner for a boundary and closed in on fifty.

However, right after reaching his half-century, Gill was out after failing to clear Devon Conway in the deep off Ferguson.

Looking in fine fettle, Dhawan too was dismissed soon after as he hit Southee straight to Finn Allen at point.

India’s openers were back in the hut after playing sensible cricket, paving the way for Iyer and Rishabh Pant's arrival in the middle.

While Pant got off the mark with a four to deep third man region after he pushed at a Southee length ball, Iyer played the upper cut off a quick Ferguson delivery to begin his innings.

New Zealand managed to pull things back with the wickets of Dhawan and Gill.

When on 11, Iyer was offered a life by Tom Latham after the batter had attempted the ramp shot against a short Milne delivery.

However, a ball after guiding Ferguson to the fine leg boundary, Pant went for the pull but dragged it onto his stumps, bringing to an end an innings that failed to inspire confidence.

That brought into the middle the man-in-form, Suryakumar Yadav, who got off the mark with an exquisite cover drive. But, two balls, later, he was walking back to the dressing room after edging the nippy Ferguson to Allen at first slip.

On a ground with short boundaries, the hosts looked comfortable with India at 160 for four in the 33rd over, but the duo of Iyer and Sanju Smason (36 off 38 balls) forged a 94-run partnership to steady the ship until the latter fell to a brilliant catch by Glenn Phillips.

During the course of his knock, Iyer also became only the second batter after Rameez Raja to score four or more successive 50-plus scores in New Zealand.