Batting first, India had set a target of 325 runs for New Zealand to win the second ODI match at Mount Maunganui. But the New Zealand players were bowled out for 234.
Earlier this morning, Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first. A brilliant batting display by openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan guided India to 324/4 at the Bay Oval. The entire top order of the visitors clicked against the hosts to help India put a challenging total against the Kiwis.
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were the top contributors with individual scores of 87 and 66, respectively. Skipper Virat Kohli contributed 43 and Ambati Rayudu 47. The two had a 64-run partnership for the third wicket. Ambati Rayudu was then joined by Mahendra Singh Dhoni (48 not out) as the two steadily lifted India near the 300-run mark before the former fell to Ferguson in the 46th over.
Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav’s (22 not out off 10 balls) fireworks then accelerated the run-rate, taking India to a good total of 324/4 in the allotted 50 overs. For New Zealand, Boult and Ferguson picked two wickets each, conceding 61 and 81 runs respectively.
