India vs New Zealand: Just the third time in ODI history - Shreyas Iyer, Ross Taylor combine to join unique list

IND vs NZ: This was the first hundred by an India No.4 in an ODI in close to 16 months. The last batsman to score a hundred batting at No.4 for India was Ambati Rayudu against West Indies on October 29, 2018.

Updated on: Feb 5, 2020, 16:39:51 IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By HT Correspondent

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Shreyas Iyer’s maiden century went in vain as Ross Taylor’s unbeaten century powered New Zealand to a four wicket victory against India in the first ODI of the three-match series at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Wednesday. In the high-scoring encounter, Kiwi batsmen prevailed as they upstaged the high-profile Indian batting line-up. The two centurions of the match, Iyer and Taylor, combined to script a unique record in ODIs.

Shreyas Iyer and Ross Taylor (R) (PTI Images)

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This is only the third time in the history of One-Day Internationals that both number fours have crossed the three-figure mark. Out of the six players, only Taylor has remained not-out.

Zimbabwe vs South Africa, 2007 Harare: AB de Villiers (107) and Tatenda Taibu (107)

India vs England, 2017 Cuttack: Yuvraj Singh (150) and Eoin Morgan (102) 2017

New Zealand vs India, 2020 Hamilton: Shreyas Iyer (103) and Ross Taylor (109*)

Also Read: Taylor upstages Iyer as New Zealand crush India by 4 wickets

Iyer’s latest heroics have seemingly put an end to the number four debate for India. A dozen players were tried but none was able to provide the answer until the arrival of Iyer. After a struggle of more than three years, it looks like he has finally solved India’s No. 4 riddle with his maiden century.

This was the first hundred by an India No.4 in an ODI in close to 16 months. The last batsman to score a hundred batting at No.4 for India was Ambati Rayudu against West Indies on October 29, 2018.

As for Taylor, he retuned to form with a fine century and this was his 21st in the 50-over format. He has now slammed three centuries against India in ODIs and fourth at this venue.

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“It was nice to get across the line. Restricting them under 350 gave us a chance. We were fortunate with the left-right hand combination and we were able to target the short leg-side boundary,” Taylor said during the post-match presentation

“It’s been a happy hunting ground for me. It was nice to be there at the end after I got out thrice towards the end in the T20 series,” he added.

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