Sawt Falasteen - Mitchell lifts New Zealand to 300-8 in ODI opener against India

Openers Devon Conway, who made 56, and Henry Nicholls (62) put on 117 after India won the toss and asked New Zealand to bat at the start of the three-match series in Vadodara.

New Zealand suffered from a lack of major partnerships after their big opening stand but Mitchell's 71-ball knock, laced with five fours and three sixes, ensured a challenging total.

Pace bowlers Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana and Praisdh Krishna took two wickets each.

Conway and Nicholls started strongly to put India on the back foot with good strokes and regular boundaries.

Rana broke through to have Nicholls caught behind with a slower delivery outside off stump and then bowled Conway in his next over.

Siraj dismissed Will Young for 12 in an inspired second spell.

New Zealand slipped again when Kuldeep Yadav sent Glenn Phillips back for 12 and Krishna bowled Mitchell Hay for 18.

The in-form Mitchell stood firm to raise his fourth 60-plus score in his past five ODI innings, including two centuries.

He was involved in the run-out of skipper Michael Bracewell, who made 16 and departed after a direct throw from Shreyas Iyer.

But Mitchell kept up the attack and he hit Krishna for two fours and a six before the bowler had him lbw in the 48th over.

Debutant Kristian Clarke made an unbeaten 24 after he put on 42 runs for the eighth wicket with Mitchell.

The series will be followed by five T20s ahead of the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka between February 7 and March 8.

N.AbuHussein--SF-PST