India vs NewZealand T20, McCullum lead New Zealand to victory

by Sanjay Jha | February 25, 2009 at 01:37 am

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New Zealand started the tour with a bang as the hosts cruised to a comprehensive seven wicket victory over India in the first T20 match of the series.

Brendon McCullum’s half centurion stand proved to India’s nemesis as he ensured a win to start the tour on a good note for his team. He was given apt support by Jacob Oram who milked the bowlers for runs that ultimately led to the fall of the T20 World Champions in their first outing in the Kiwi land.

Brandon McCullum and Jacob Oram led New Zealand to an emphatic seven-wicket victory in the first Twenty20 international against India at the AMI Park in Christchurch on Wednesday.

Riding on the unbeaten knocks of McCullum (56) and Oram (29), the Kiwis achieved the victory target of 163 runs with 7 balls to spare.

Oram registered the Kiwi victory with a six over the covers off Yusuf Pathan. Man of the Match McCullum hit 3 sixes and 2 fours in his 49-ball knock, while Oram's knock was studded with 2 sixes and 3 sixes.

The unbeaten 50-run partnership came after the Kiwis were reduced to 106/3 when Harbhajan Singh got rid of dangerous looking Guptill, who scored a quick-fire 41, as he trapped him in front of the wicket.

Ishant Sharma struck with his very first delivery to dismiss Jesse Ryder to put New Zealand at 2/1 in 1.1 overs.

Ishant trapped Ryder (1) plumb in front of the wicket to draw first blood. Ishant could have got his second wicket with his very next delivery as Martin Guptill shouldered arms as the ball came in hit his pads in front of off-stump, but umpire Evan Watkin turned down the appeal.

Earlier, Suresh Raina (61) and Harbhajan Singh (21) guided India to a fighting total of 162/8.