A substantial century partnership by Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan paved the way for an overwhelming 90-run win for India in the second one-day international against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui on Saturday.
It put India 2-0 up in the series after they took the first match by eight wickets.
India, having elected to bat first, made 324 for four with Sharma and Dhawan laying the foundations with a 154-run opening stand.
They then set about clinically dismantling New Zealand who were all out for 234 with more than nine overs remaining. Kuldeep Yadav registered his second consecutive four-wicket haul of the series.
Although New Zealand were able to match the required run rate through the first half of their innings none of the top order batsmen was able to settle in.
For India, Virat Kholi (43) and Ambati Rayudu (47) chimed in at a run a ball.
Sharma and Dhawan gave India a flying start in their bid to go 2-0 up in the series before Dhawan was out for 66 and Sharma went four overs later for 87.
It was their 14th century stand from 93 innings together.
Only the now retired Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly (21 century stands), Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden (16) and Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes (15) have produced more hundred-plus partnerships as openers.
New Zealand new-ball bowler Trent Boult spoke before the match of a need to put pressure on India from the start but his opening delivery, after India won the toss and chose to bat, was a juicy half volley which Sharma edged through the vacant first slip for four.
He finished with nine fours and three sixes and brought up his 38th ODI half-century lofting Lochie Ferguson over the boundary.
Dhawan completed his 27th fifty with a two off Colin de Grandhomme and celebrated with boundaries off the next two deliveries.
But he was gone soon after when he edged a wide Boult delivery to wicketkeeper Tom Latham.
Sharma’s was also a soft dismissal when he jabbed a loose Ferguson delivery to de Grandhomme at square leg.
Following the dismissals of Kohli and Rayudu India were in danger of not reaching 300 until Dhoni opened up in partnership with Kedar Jadhav. The pair put on 35 runs in the last two overs.
Despite a good comeback between overs 35 and 45, India managed to go past 320. Dhoni survived a dropped chance in the end overs, before hitting a few lusty blows along with Jadhav as the duo added 53 runs in a little over four overs.
While New Zealand scored freely in reply they lost wickets regularly.
When Kane Williamson found himself in the middle after the fifth over he tried to dominate, lashing out at Mohammed Shami with two sixes and a four off successive deliveries.
But Shami ended the over bowling Williamson for 20.
After Ross Taylor was stumped for 33, Yadav began to work his magic.
He removed Tom Latham for 34 and Colin De Grandhomme for three before claiming the wickets of Henry Nicholls (28) and Ish Sochi (nought) with successive balls to finish with four for 45 to go with his four for 39 in the first match of the series.
All-rounder Doug Bracewell top scored for New Zealand with 57 off 46 deliveries.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!