Brendon McCullum took charge of New Zealand's chase in the warm-up game against India at Chennai on Wednesday as the attacking wicketkeeper batsman scored at better than a run-a-ball.
Earlier, MS Dhoni ignited the World Cup with a whirlwind 64-ball 108 and put together a 164-run fifth-wicket partnership with Suresh Raina (50 off 26), which took India to a mammoth 360/5.
In the evening, the Indian skipper announced his arrival back to form with a 40-ball fifty and hit Jacob Oram for five consecutive fours.
However, Gautam Gambhir missed out on a hundred, getting out for 89 in the batting powerplay while Dhoni found form with some lusty hitting.
Gambhir and Dhoni took New Zealand to the cleaners in the batting powerplay as the former inched closer to his hundred and India to a big score.
But Virat Kohli (59) gifted New Zealand his wicket after chasing a wide Jacob Oram delivery, which was soon followed by Gambhir's half century.
In the afternoon, Kohli and Gambhir took on the Kiwi bowlers after India lost openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar early.
It must be a satisfying outing for the Indian team after their skipper won the toss and decided to bat first in India's final practice match.
Sachin Tendulkar, who was rested in the warm-up game against Australia, returned to the opener's job.
Team's premier fast bowler Zaheer Khan, who was carrying a little groin injury as stated by captain the Indian skipper on Tuesday, missed the opportunity to practice before the Bangladesh encounter on Saturday.