Debutant Kiwi pacer Kyle Jamieson was over the moon after guiding his team to a strong position on the first day of the Test series opener against India in Wellington.

Jamieson, who earned the Player-of-the-Match award on his ODI debut earlier this month, wreaked havoc on the Indian batting line-up, dismissing Cheteshwar Pujara (11) and skipper Virat Kohli (2) cheaply. Hanuma Vihari (7) was his third scalp as New Zealand reduced the visitors to 122/5 on a rain-curtailed opening day.  

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Addressing the media after stumps on Day 1, Jamieson said: “It’s still sinking in. The last couple of weeks have been pretty surreal as well. Pretty pleased and from a team perspective we’re in a pretty good position as well.”

“He [Kohli] is a pretty good batter and such a key to their line-up. To get him early was massive for us. To get a couple (including Pujara) early was where the emotion came from, certainly pretty special,” said Jamieson.

While Kohli’s problems outside the off-stump has been talked about, Jamieson feels that “nitpicking” wasn’t the smartest thing to do.

“He’s scored runs all around the world so to try and nitpick that would be not the smartest. With the assistance of the pitch it was how we would try to make him play and he’s so strong on the stump line. I probably missed a little bit but managed to get the edge which was good.”

Standing at 6’8″, Jamieson once again tested the Indian batsmen with his extra bounce. It was his go-to strategy in the ODI series well.

“I tried to keep it simple the last few weeks. My role is to make them play and with that extra bounce bring them forward. There was a lot of assistance with pace and bounce and swing and seam. That simplifies was my gameplan to try to hit a good area. I stayed pretty relaxed which helped,” he said.

The height also helped Jamieson to bowl slightly more fuller than other seam bowlers.

“With my height, I can afford to go a fraction fuller, especially out here with the extra bounce. I try to make guys commit to play off the front-foot.

“In that second spell, the first half of it, there were a lot of balls left on length. How do you commit them on the front-foot (is the key) and if it does swing or seam, you’re in with a chance of bringing the edge in.”

Kyle Jamieson was happy that skipper Kane Williamson let him bowl with the wind and it also helped him ease his nerves.

“I found out yesterday (that he was playing) and for me Test cricket has always been the pinnacle. There were a few emotions at the ‘Cap Presentation’ and this morning with the anthems. Also I was pretty lucky to get the wind. Not sure how often I’ll get that, but no complaints.”

(With PTI inputs)