Kohli strikes century, India all out for 276

GUWAHATI - Virat Kohli smashed a century as India were bowled out for 276 in the first One-day International against New Zealand at the Nehru Stadium here Sunday.

Kohli scored 105 off 104 balls with the help of 10 fours, but India lost too many wickets in the slog overs and were bundled out with an over to spare. Yuvraj Singh scored 42.

Kohli scored his second consecutive century, and fourth overall, having struck 118 against Australia in Visakhapatnam last month.

India were looking to cross the 300-run mark as Kohli and Raina (13) forged a 40-run stand for the fourth wicket. But then India lost wickets in heaps. From 3-220, the hosts were soon reduced to 8-257 as New Zealand hit back with some smart bowling.

Yusuf Pathan tried to accelerate the scoring, scoring 29 off 19 balls with three boundaries.

Medium pacer Andy McKay took four wickets, including that of Kohli, while Kyle Mills got three.

Put into bat, Gautam Gambhir (38), who is leading the side in the absence of regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and Murali Vijay (29) scored 44 runs, before the latter was dismissed be Daryl Tuffey (2-56)

Gambhir fell to McKay before Kohli and Yuvraj were involved in a 88-run stand that steadied the innings.