Sehwag and Tendulkar give India rollicking start

Wellington, March 6 : India got off to a flier after winning the toss in the second One-Day International against New Zealand, racing to 130 one in 19 overs before rain stopped play here at the Westpac Stadium Friday.

When play was stopped, Sachin Tendulkar was batting on 59 (62 balls, seven fours, one six) and Gautam Gambhir 13 (16b, 1x4).

The only wicket to fall was that of Virender Sehwag (54, 36b, 9x4, 1x6) who was adjudged caught behind by New Zealand umpire Evan Watkin, though the TV replays showed that the ball had brushed the pads and not bat.

Sehwag and Tendulkar had put on 76 runs for the first wicket in 12.3 overs and the run-rate of close to seven runs an over had been maintained.

India retained the team that won the first of the five-match series at Napier Tuesday by 53 runs, while New Zealand were forced to make one change, bringing in wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan for injured Brendon McCullum who is playing as batsman.

--IANS