Nicholls, Latham and Taylor led New Zealand to their highest successful ODI chase ever in Hamilton.
This was a good turnaround for the home side, who were thrashed 5-0 in the T20I series and are without their full-time captain Kane Williamson for the first two ODIs.
“We didn’t feel it as part of the group coming in. So, I wasn’t feeling any pressure and there is no need to prove anything. It was a small ground and a big chase, so it was nice we were able to do that,” Nicholls said in Auckland.
NZ v IND 2020: Latham delighted as Kiwis show more composure to win Hamilton ODI
“It was great, our biggest chase ever in ODI cricket and it was good to be able to contribute in it. In the past, playing India in India, we have had a couple of chases around the 300-mark and others we got close to. It was nice to do that again at home and to actually win the game, it was great,” he added.
Nicholls paid rich tributes to Taylor’s 109* and Latham’s 69 off 48 balls, which enabled Kiwis to pass the finish line. “Having someone like that at number four, especially with Kane Williamson not being there as well, the experience he brings is immense. It is not just about the runs, because batting with him in the middle, you keep having those conversations that help your batting too,” he said.
Nicholls also revealed that he will continue to open the innings as team management wants him to despite Latham’s rich vein of form.
“Opening is not too different. I am used to batting in a few different spots. I was opening a bit for Canterbury coming into this series. So, I am trying to form a new partnership up top with Martin Guptill and get those platforms in. I was disappointed to get out after a good start. But with Ross there and the way Tom started, I was confident we could get the chase done. In the end, we only needed run-a-ball and it was the biggest factor for us to finish the game,” he signed off.
(PTI inputs)