India vs New Zealand, 1st ODI: India beat New Zealand by 8 wickets (DLS)

B Kumar to M Guptill, Outside off, gentle outswing, left alone.

B Kumar to M Guptill, FOUR! Wonderful timing. Bhuvi drifts on the pads and the length is a bit too full. Guptill flicks it uppishly but wide of the fielder at short mid-wicket. In fact, it is through square leg and the ball races away. Fine leg has no chance. First runs of the match.

B Kumar to M Guptill, Full and around off, watchfully defended.

The anthems are done and we are ready for the game to begin. Let us have a stat to start. This is India's 1600TH INTERNATIONAL GAME - third most after Australia (1854) and England (1833). Out come the players. Martin Guptill and Colin Munro are the openers for New Zealand. Bhuvneshwar Kumar to start off with the first new ball. Guppy to face. Here we go...

Time for the national anthems. India's first up...

PITCH REPORT - Simon Doull says that Napier has not hosted an international game for more than 2 years. Feels that the grass has been rolled nicely and we should have plenty of runs. Expects at least 340 for the side batting first to win.

Indian captain, Virat Kohli, says that Indian bowlers have played a bigger role than the batsmen in the last 12-18 months but do not get enough credit because it has become a batsman's game. People want to see more of fours and sixes, he adds. Stresses that his side is very balanced, confident and relaxed, knowing its abilities well. Is expecting a rough contest, that too in the right spirit. Adds that there is mutual respect between the two sides, so here will be competition along with fun. On motivation, Kohli says that his team needs no such motivation to play for the country. On the aggression comparison with the Kiwis, Virat opines that the body language of the Black Caps may not be the same as that of the Aussies but their passion to win shows their aggression.

New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson, says that it looks a very good surface and usually stays the same throughout. Admits that India are usually a very good chasing side but he wants to focus on his own side's strength. Informs that they are going in with one spinner with Mitchell Santner making a comeback. Adds further that the team combination is more due to balance. Wants to keep improving in all aspects but particularly stresses on the fielding part, which was not the best against the Lankans.

TOSS time. The necessary people are out in the middle. Heads is the call from Kohli but it is a Tail. NEW ZEALAND OPT TO BAT FIRST.

WEATHER - First up in New Zealand, one looks at the skies. Sunil Gavaskar laments, India's luck in this country has been such that they always get cloudy skies and green tracks. However, today, Sunny is smiling because it is nice and sunny. Not a cloud in the sky.

Having not won a series here in a decade India will look to change that record. They now have their own 10-year challenge. Kohli vs Kane is going to be Fire vs Ice. It's almost set-up for the top order to decide the games for both teams. New Zealand have a pacy attack and that will surely test the shaky Indian middle order. For the hosts, their main examination will be to see out the Indian spinners. It will be interesting to see what combinations do the teams go for. Toss and team news not far away.