NZ vs IND: Tim Southee achieves special landmark after scalping 200th ODI wicket for Kiwis

New Zealand’s bowling spearhead Tim Southee achieved a magnificent feat by picking up his 200th wicket in the 50-over format in the first ODI against India at the Eden Park in Auckland. Southee attained the milestone during the 25th over of India's innings when he came back for his second spell and picked up the opposition skipper Shikhar Dhawan who played well for his 77-ball 72. 

With the dismissal, Southee became the fifth New Zealand bowler after Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, Kyle Mills and Daniel Vettori to pick up 200 wickets in the ODI format. He also went past Cairns’ tally of 200 wickets in the ODI format after finishing with 3 for 73 in his ten overs.

With 202 wickets, he is just two wickets away from going past Chris Harris’ tally of 203 scalps and is expected to become the third-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in ODIs soon.

Apart from it, Southee achieved a special feat by becoming the first bowler to pick up 300 or more wickets in Tests, 200 or more wickets in ODIs and 100 or more wickets in T20Is. The 33-year-old has 347 wickets in the longer format while he is the leading wicket taker in T20Is overall with 134 wickets to his name.  

India post 306 on board in their 50 overs 

Despite losing the toss, India managed to finish strong and ended with an excellent total of 306 on the board in their 50 overs against the Black Caps. The opening partnership of 124 gave an ideal start to the Indian innings and both, Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill scored half-centuries. Shreyas Iyer who came in at three was the top scorer for India with 80 off 76 balls while Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav were dismissed early.  

Sanju Samson played a decent knock of 36 off 38 balls and Washington Sundar’s terrific finish with 37 off 16 balls helped India go past the 300-run mark.