IND vs NZ, 1st T2OI: Iyer, Rahul Whirlwind Half Tons Help India Chase Down 204 At Eden Park, Take 1-0 Lead

India chased down the target in 18.5 overs on the back of a collective batting effort spearheaded by an electrifying half ton by Shreyas Iyer and the opening burst provided by opener KL Rahul and skipper Virat Kohli.

Shreyas Iyer

India defeated New Zealand by runs to win the 1st T20I of the 5-match T2OI series played at Eden Park at Auckland. Set an imposing 204-run target, India chased down the target in 18.5 overs on the back of a collective batting effort spearheaded by an electrifying half ton by Shreyas Iyer and the opening burst provided by opener KL Rahul and skipper Virat Kohli. After India lost opener Rohit early to Santner, KL Rahul combined well with skipper Kohli producing an exhibition of power-packed strokeplay to lay a strong platform for the leather hunt. Rahul continued his good run of form with the willow registering a whirlwind half ton, Kohli produced a breezy 45-run knock in just 32 balls. Shreyas Iyer then played a spectacular knock to take the visitors home with an over to spare. Iyer remained unbeaten on with Manish Pandey at the crease on 14. Batting first, New Zealand posted a mammoth 203-5 total against India in the 1st T2O international  being played at Eden Park in Auckland. After Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bowl first, the Kiwis got off to a flier with their openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro tonking the Indian bowlers to all parts of the ground with some lusty blows. The opening pair added 80 runs for the first wicket before medium pacer Shivam Dube scalped Martin Guptill for 30. Munro then continued the carnage with skipper Kane Williamson to help the hosts get past the 100 run mark. All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme who was promoted up the batting order departed for a duck.  Wicket-keeper batsman Tim Seifert dint last long as he was scalped by Bumrah by 1.Ross Taylor then provided the late flourish with his explosive stroke-play, registering his half ton in only 25 balls.