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Tom Latham hit a career-best 145 not out and shared a marathon stand with skipper Kane Williamson to help New Zealand beat India by seven wickets in the first one-day international in Auckland on Friday.
Williamson was unbeaten on 94 after raising 221 runs with Latham as New Zealand chased down a 307-run victory target with 17 balls to spare.
Latham was named Player of the Match after his 104-ball knock included five sixes and 19 fours.
Earlier, India’s top three batsmen each scored half-centuries before Washington Sundar provided a late flourish with an unbeaten 37 off 16 balls, propelling India to 306-7 at Eden Park.
The visitors scored 124 runs in 23 overs, led by skipper Shikhar Dhawan (72) and Shubman Gill (50).
Lockie Ferguson broke the stand by dismissing Gill, and Tim Southee (3-73) dismissed Dhawan, who is leading a depleted India side that includes regular captain Rohit Sharma.
New Zealand openers Finn Allen (22) and Devon Conway (24) were unable to build on their starts, and Daryl Mitchell made 11 before becoming Umran Malik’s second victim of the match.
Williamson led the chase, while Latham turned the game around in the 40th over, hitting Shardul Thakur for a six and four consecutive fours on his way to a 76-ball century.
On Sunday, Hamilton will host the second ODI of the three-match series.
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