Umesh Yadav instrumental in India's win over New Zealand

Hardik Pandya claimed three wickets on debut, but it was Umesh Yadav who ripped apart New Zealand's top order with a two-wicket burst which included the wickets of experienced Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor that helped India complete a six-wicket win in the first ODI at Dharmasala on Sunday.

India's captain, MS Dhoni, won the toss and pressed New Zealand in to bat first, on a surface that assisted the seamers. His decision paid off as Pandya struck in his first over to dismiss Martin Guptill.

Yadav then accounted for New Zealand's two most accomplished batsmen. Williamson holed out on the last ball of his third over to third man and then, off the first ball of his fourth over, Taylor edged an outswinger to the keeper. The double blow had the tourists on the back foot early.

A disciplined display for fast bowling frustrated the hard-hitting Corey Anderson, who managed just four from 14 balls. The left hander tried to cut loose against Pandya in the 11th over but perished. Pandya claimed his third wicket an over later, when he accounted for Luke Ronchi for 0.

Tom Latham, New Zealand's opener, was the only batsman from the top five who stood tall during the wicket procession. He remained unbeaten for a 98-ball 79, which included seven fours and a six. Latham became the tenth batsman to carry his bat through an ODI innings. He joined forces with Tim Southee, who struck a 45-ball 55 at No. 10, to guide their side to a respectable target of 191.

India's batsmen weren't really tested during the chase. Though they lost both openers, Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane, by the 13th over, they never lost direction, as Virat Kohli's 81-ball 85 kept them on course for an easy victory, which they completed in 31.1 overs.

"Fantastic performance from the fast bowlers. We had no clue it would help the fast bowlers. Hardik exploited the good length, a short of a good length. Umesh is somebody who has been quite quick consistently, he has gone from fit to one of the fittest," Dhoni said.

"Hardik is deceptive, you think he'd bowl 132, but he crosses 135 consistently. Both Mishra and Axar bowled well. They did go for some runs. If we did not take early wickets, it was a 280-300 wicket. Important to bat in the middle, I was in no hurry. The more deliveries I play, the better for me. At times, the toss can be very crucial in this series."