03 March,2009 10:26 AM IST | | Agencies
Virender Sehwag departed after blazing his way to a 56-ball 77 as India were in command in a shortened 38-over-a-side first ODI of the series against New Zealand at Napier.
Riding on Sehwag's unbeaten 77, included 11 boundaries and a six, and his parternships of 69 and 52 with Sachin Tendulkar (20) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (22 not out), India were 122 for 2 in 19 overs.
Sehwag, who was unbeaten on 23 when rain forced the players into the dressing room in the fifth over, continued in the same vein after resumption of play and hit the ball to all the corners of the McLean Park.
Even after Tendulkar nicked one from Ian Butler to wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum in the 10th over, Sehwag was undeterred.
Skipper Dhoni, who promoted himself in the batting order after winning the crucial toss earlier in the day, was also looking good at the other end.
It took a great catch by Ross Taylor who dived full length at covers off Danile Vettori to see Sehwag's back.
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