In-form Virat Kohli struck his second consecutive ODI century as India were bowled out for 276 against an injury-ridden New Zealand in their five-match series opener at Nehru Stadium here today.
Fresh from his back—to—back centuries in Ranji Trophy, the Delhi lad played a neat and chanceless knock as he refrained from taking any risks but at the same time rotated the strike to hit 105 from 104 balls with the help of 10 boundaries.
Kohli’s fifty came from 62 balls with four boundaries and in no time he raced to his second consecutive ODI century after the one —— his careerbest 118 —— against the Aussies in Visakhapatnam.
But before he could better his ODI best score, Kohli was dismissed by left—arm pacer Andy McKay who had figures of four for 62 bowling to a primarily off—side.
After Kohli’s dismissal, India’s lower order collapsed —— five wickets falling with addition of 26 runs —— as they were bundled out in 49 overs.
The new look Team India under Gautam Gambhir was put into to bat after New Zealand stand—in skipper Ross Taylor won the toss with regular captain Daniel Vettori along with Brendon McCullum pulling out this morning. While Vettori had a stiff back, McCullum had problems of back spasms.
True to its character, the early morning start on the Nehru Stadium strip tested the Indian opening duo as the Kiwi new ball bowlers, Kyle Mills and Daryl Tuffey, extracted some fine seam movements early on.
India started off rather sloppily when Vijay edged past second slip, while Gambhir was beaten by Tuffey on more than one occasions as the duo survived some nervous moments before getting their act together.
Vijay looked in fine touch as he struck five clean boundaries to race to 29 from 32 balls the opening duo did not look in any pressure in absence of Virender Sehwag.
Gambhir looked to attack the New Zealand bowlers and survived a run—out chance as the opening duo were not afraid to take risk that saw Indian run—rate going over six in the wicket that began to ease on.
An overanxious shot off Tuffey did Vijay in as the 44 runs stand was broken in the eighth over. Vijay’s lofted shot took the top—edge as wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins took a brilliant catch running backwards.
The pitch looked perfect for batting beside the odd ball that bounced as Gambhir looked unaffected by his partner’s dismissal, while Kohli gave a fine support playing sensibly.
Gambhir fell early in what came as a soft dismissal as the partnership yielded 48 before McKay took the skipper’s wicket.
Under tremendous pressure, Yuvraj Singh was slow to start with that saw India scoring just 17 in the five overs in the bowling Powerplay from 10—15 overs.
But soon Yuvraj began to open up to the New Zealand spin attack that missed Vettori sorely as Nathan McCullum and Kane Williamson chipped in with off—breaks.
In—form Kohli, meanwhile, raced to his ninth half—century in a rather nondescript way but he ensured that they looked solid and set for a big total.
After taking time to settle down, Yuvraj hit seven boundaries and before he could prove a point making it big he became Tuffey’s second victim falling for 42.
In their 88—run stand for the third wicket, Kohli looked compact yet flexible in rotating the strike while Yuvraj looked to score in boundaries before he edged one behind the stumps.
A jaded Suresh Raina (13) continued with his poor Test run into the ODIs, as the southpaw lasted 18 balls before Mills accounted for the UP youngster.
After Kohli’s dismissal, the Indian inexperience showed as the lower order collapsed with only Yusuf Pathan playing a little cameo of 29 from 19 balls studded with three fours and one six.
India have rested their star performers including skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh who were not considered due to injury concerns.