Kiwis play spin well ~ beat India : Virat Kohli 200th ODI

The Auckland cricket side recovered slightly from a horrendous start to the Plunket Shield season, but were  still all out for 62. The Aces slumped to 23 for eight after being sent into bat against Wellington. They may not be reading this as their Press for sure would have covered more of their victory at Bombay and how their batsmen played Indian spin well.. ..

In the first ODi, Man of the match Tom Latham admitted conditions made it tough work for New Zealand in their opening ODI win over India in Mumbai.  It is October, part of our winter starting yet the sweltering heat was especially demanding on Latham, who had to keep wicket through India's 280 for eight, then bat through another 32 overs for his fine, unbeaten 103 which set up New Zealand's six-wicket victory.  Latham paid tribute to the contribution of senior batsman Ross Taylor in their record-setting fourth wicket stand of 200, Taylor finishing on 95.

In a statistical match, Virat Kohli, in his 200th ODI, sought to play the perfect innings on a slow pitch and in sapping heat,  went on to score his 31st hundred. New Zealand took more risks collectively, opened with almost a pinch hitter.  Kohli was a loner with a 121, whereas all New Zealand batsmen contributed - Ross Taylor and Tom Latham added 200 - as they chased down 281, only their third win when batting second against India in India.

Kohli brilliantly caught over the ropes

Virat Kohli is reaching new highs with almost every match, with every ODI century. In the series opener against New Zealand at the Wankhede, the India captain brought up his 31st century playing in his 200th ODI. He became only the second batsman after AB de Villiers to get to a century in the 200^th  ODI. He's now the second-highest hundreds scorer in ODI history behind only Sachin Tendulkar's 49 tons. Kohli has got there playing just 200 games. No other batsman has had better career figures than Kohli after their 200th ODI.

MCA facilitated him on his 200^th cap in ODI, this is not a great record – for there are 72 others who have played 200 ODIs are more.   Sachin Tendulkar leads the list with 463 matches – in the top 10 there are 2 Indians, Sachin and Dravid, 4 Lankans -  Mahela Jayawardene, Kumara Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Muthiah Muralitharan; 3 Pak – Shahid Afridi, Wasim Akram and Inzamam ul Haq – only non-Asian Ricky Ponting .. MSD has played 307 !

With regards – S. Sampathkumar

23^rd Oct 2017.