CRICKET NEWS - A record opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan powered India to a 53-run win over New Zealand in the first Twenty20 international in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Full scorecard: India v New Zealand
The pair put on 158 runs - India's best for any wicket - to take the hosts to 202 for three and then restricted the Kiwis to 149 for eight and take lead in the three-match series.
Notching up their maiden win over New Zealand in the format, the Indian team gave a fitting farewell to veteran paceman Ashish Nehra, who called time on his playing career.
Nehra, 38, who retired after an injury-plagued 18-year-old career, went wicketless but was carried by his teammates in a lap of honour at his home ground Feroz Shah Kotla.
It was Dhawan, who hit a career-best 80, and Sharma, who also made 80, who stole the show. They surpassed the 136-run opening stand between Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup.
"Very clinical performance from the whole team. The wicket I felt was a bit damp. But the two guys at the top of the order set up the platform for us and were outstanding," skipper Virat Kohli said.
"Dhawan wanted to do well in this format as his record is good in ODIs...This knock is a testimony to the fact of what he can do," Kohli said of Dhawan, who received the man of the match award.
