India outclassed New Zealand by five wickets in the series opener at Auckland.
India registered a comprehensive five-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first game of the five-ODI series at Eden Park, Auckland on Wednesday (November 4).
Left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh claimed a four-wicket haul, while Gurnoor Brar (3-44) and Anshul Kamboj (2-22) troubled the Kiwis with pace and movement, skittling them out for 185 runs in 40.2 overs.
In reply, Virat Kohli put India in a commanding position despite rain interrupting the chase twice. The batting stalwart slammed his 80th ODI half-century after the tourists were set a revised target of 143 in 32 overs. He returned with 74 off 51 balls as India gunned down the target in 22.4 overs.
Speaking during the post-match presentation, India skipper Shubman Gill hailed the pace trio of Arshdeep, Gurnoor and Kamboj. He also named Rohit Sharma's brilliant run-out of well-set Daryl Mitchell as the key event that completely shifted the momentum in visitors' favour.
“I think we were very good with the bowling. And I think our fielding was also really good. That run out by Rohit bhai, I think changed the momentum of the game. I think it was really that partnership (Mitchell & Phillips), we saw that even in India - those two batted really well in India. And overall I think a very good team performance for us,” Gill said.
He was particularly impressed with the performances of Kamboj and Brar, who made excellent use of the conditions at Eden Park to dismantle the Black Caps batting lineup.
“I mean Anshul is the kind of a bowler, I think he's tailor-made for these kind of conditions, always nippy, trying to seam the ball. And good with the old ball. We felt when there's not much happening from the wicket, he (Brar) can create that extra bounce and with his pace and the way both of them bowled tonight was really magnificent to watch,” Gill added.
The Indian captain further highlighted that the rain interruption quickened the surface during the chase, making the ball skid and nip more off the seam. However, he credited Kohli’s masterclass for making things easy for India.
“I mean it's never easy when you are set and then it rains and the wicket got a little bit quick, it got a little bit more nippy after the rain. So the target reduced. So we were just trying to play our normal cricket. And I think the way Virat bhai batted, it made things a lot more easy for us,” he remarked.
Both teams now head to Wellington for the second ODI of the series, where Shubman Gill emphasized sticking to their plans rather than making major adjustments.
“Nothing really, if we are able to replicate our performance, it's all about consistency for us. If we are able to do the same thing over and over again, I think we'll be in a great space,” he concluded.