![New Zealand openers set record partnership [Source: @Ramesh_Chouhan0/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768126247567_DevonConwayHenryNichollsstitchrecordpartnershipinINDvsNZ1stODI.jpg?type=hq)
New Zealand openers set record partnership [Source: @Ramesh_Chouhan0/X.com]
New Zealand’s openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls produced a brilliant start against India in the first ODI held at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara.
On a pitch that offered good value for shots, the left-handed pair stitched together a big opening stand and put India’s bowlers under pressure early.
Their partnership has now entered the record books as one of New Zealand’s highest opening stands against India on Indian soil.
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Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls get dream start vs India
After being put to bat first, New Zealand openers Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls showed great patience and control as they added 117 runs for the first wicket.
It was a mature partnership built on timing, placement, and running between the wickets. Conway looked fluent from the start, hitting 56 off 67 balls with an 83.58 strike rate.
Nicholls, on the other hand, played the role of aggressor when needed. He hit 62 off 69 balls, including eight boundaries, and helped New Zealand keep the scoreboard ticking.
Highest opening partnerships for New Zealand vs India in India in ODIs:
- 140 – Andrew Jones & John Wright, Vadodara, 1988
- 117 – Devon Conway & Henry Nicholls, Vadodara, 2026*
- 115 – Nathan Astle & Craig Spearman, Rajkot, 1999
Their 117-run stand is now the second-highest opening partnership for New Zealand against India in India, only behind Andrew Jones and John Wright’s 140 in Vadodara in 1988.
Harshit Rana provides the breakthrough for India
The record partnership of Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls broke in the 22nd over when Nicholls was caught by KL Rahul off Harshit Rana, but by then the damage had been done.
He picked up both wickets to fall, first removing Nicholls and then Conway shortly after. Conway was bowled for 56, ending a well-crafted innings that included six fours and a six.
Mohammed Siraj was economical but went wicketless, while Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav found it tough to build pressure. Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja kept things tight in the middle overs but could not break the partnership.
At 143/2 after 27 overs, New Zealand were in a strong position, with Will Young and Daryl Mitchell at the crease and plenty of batting still to come.
New Zealand eye a big total after a flying start
Now, with the platform already set, New Zealand will look to push on and post a challenging total. The likes of Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, and even Kyle Jamieson are yet to bat, giving the Kiwis depth in batting and power-hitting.
India, on the other hand, will want wickets in regular intervals to get themselves back in the game during the middle overs. The absence of Arshdeep Singh has been felt, and the team will rely on their spinners to control the run rate.
The Conway-Nicholls partnership has already turned heads. But India are not completely out of the game just yet. With dew expected in the second inning, the hosts will back themselves to chase any total above 250 runs.
