Two good, two bad as Tom Latham century helps Kiwis outclass India in first ODI

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Tom Latham

    Century-maker Tom Latham and Ross Taylor inspired New Zealand to a thrilling six-wicket win over India in the first one-day international at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

    The batsmen put on a 200-run partnership as the Kiwis successfully chased down 281 to stun the hosts after Indian captain Virat Kohli had hit a century of his own.

    Left-hander Latham smashed 103 off 102 balls, including eight fours and two sixes, while Taylor made 95 off 99 as New Zealand won with six balls to spare, finishing on 284-4.

    On a day filled with many brilliant individual performances, we look at the two good and two bad from the Wankhede Stadium.

    THE GOOD

    Virat Kohli’s magnificent 31st ODI ton

    Playing in his 200th ODI, the Indian skipper marked the occasion in style by becoming the second highest century-maker in the one-day game, behind only Sachin Tendulkar.

    After the early dismissals of openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, the onus of carrying India’s innings once again fell on Kohli’s shoulders and the batting genius delivered as expected scoring a fine 125-ball 121.

    His 31st one-day ton moved the right-hander ahead of Australia great Ricky Ponting with only Tendulkar’s 49 centuries now standing in his way to become the greatest limited-overs batsman of all time.

    Super Tom Latham century takes the game way from India

    The left-handed batsman was a menacing presence for the Kiwis in India last year and continued where he left off, racking up his ninth ODI half-century to seal victory for the visitors.

    He was particularly handy with his sweeps which cut down the impact of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.

    The 25-year-old notched up his fourth ODI century towards the end of the chase as he put on an almost 200-run unbeaten partnership with Taylor, the highest for any wicket at the Wakhede stadium.

    THE BAD

    Kedar Jhadav fails to convert start once again

    With Manish Pandey dropped in favour of Dinesh Karthik in the playing XI, Jadhav was promoted to the number four slot in the batting line-up.

    The right-handed batsman has developed a notorious habit of not kicking on after solid starts, managing just one score of 50 plus in the five innings against Australia after getting some reasonable starts.

    On Sunday, Jadhav was caught and bowled by New Zealand’s sole spinner Mitchell Santner for a score of 12 leaving India under pressure at 3-76.

    His poor showing continued in the field when he dropped Black Caps’ opener Colin Munro in the deep off the bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

    He made amends later by latching on to a catch from Williamson, but overall it was a poor day at the office for Jadhav.

    A bad day at the office for India's Kedar Jadhav.

    A bad day at the office for India’s Kedar Jadhav.

    Rohit Sharma gifts his wicket away

    Rohit Sharma is an enigma in the sense that you never quite know what you are going to get from him on a particular day.

    When in form, the Indian vice-captain can take the game away from the opposition in a split second.

    However, when things don’t work out for him like on Sunday, Sharma can end up looking like quite a lazy batsman.

    Against Boult, Sharma looked out of sorts from the start as he constantly picked the wrong shot to play.

    He did hit two sixes early into his innings but his dismissal left a lot to be desired after the opener tried one slog too many, missing a fuller length delivery which sneaked between his bat and pads to take his off-stump.

    His dismissal after Dhawan had already fallen early set India back big time before Kohli took control of the innings.

    Recommended