Kiwis beats India in first of two 20-20s

Christchurch (New Zealand), Feb.25 (ANI): New Zealand beat India by seven wickets in the first of two Twenty20 matches at the AMI Stadium here on Wednesday.

Wicketkeeper batsman Brendon McCullum and opener Mark Guptill powered the Kiwis to 166 for 3 in reply to India's 162 for eight.

McCullum scored 56 and Guptill 41. For India, middle-order bat Suresh Raina top scored with an unbeaten 61. Kiwi pacer Butler snared two wickets for 29 runs.

New Zealand and India adopted different approaches to their innings and in the end it was the host's more measured and sensible method that prevailed over the visitors' manic thrash.

The Indian innings fell away after a blazing start by Virender Sehwag, who hit his first three balls for sixes.

New Zealand, on the other hand, were guided by opener McCullum, who batted through the innings, while his team mates forced the pace.

McCullum took charge during the final overs, reached his half-century, and ensured New Zealand won with seven balls to spare.

India bashed 13 sixes in their innings - one short of the record for Twenty20 internatonals - but in the end had to settle for a par score. (ANI)