As India chased down 226 to win the first T20I with four wickets in hand at Hagley Oval on Thursday, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged that his bowlers' careless start with the new ball, which included giving up a lot of extras, proved expensive.

With the help of wayward bowling from the New Zealand pacers, India quickly reached 94/1 in the powerplay, thanks to Sanju Samson’s 67. India did lose a bit of momentum in the middle with wickets of Tilak Varma, Samson, and Ishan Kishan, but Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel brought India back into the game.

With two balls remaining, Naman Dhir's undefeated 42 off 15 balls ended the chase despite the hosts' valiant efforts during the middle overs. New Zealand gave up a total of 17 extras.

"They put us under pressure. We knew they were going to do that, and it was another big powerplay from them. We weren't probably at our best. We can sharpen up a few things, but I think we know what the ball does, so you can slow them down. I think in the middle we did well to kind of squeeze them, and then again, it was a tight game. So, I think both teams could probably look at a few things here and there; I think it could have gone either way," said Santner in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Asked where New Zealand could improve, Santner pointed to the extras and a few missed chances in the field.

"I think the extras at the start, maybe, and obviously I think in the field we were pretty good. It's not an easy ground to catch at here. A couple more chances in the closing overs at times, but I think the powerplay is always going to be a challenge. I guess we have to find a way of trying to slow them down, but that might be an 80-run powerplay, not a 100-run powerplay,” Santner added.

After being sent in to bat, Santner was happy with his batters' performance and commended Glenn Phillips for his undefeated 82 off 40 balls and Bevon Jacobs for his 31 off 16 balls.

"I think the way the guys went about it at the top was good. Obviously, there was probably a little bit in it at the start, and they adapted and adjusted. Then, obviously, the way GP kind of consolidated in the middle there, he was outstanding. And Bev, some clean striking as well. So, we were reasonably happy with the score at half-time,” Santner stated.

The two teams will meet again at the same venue in the second T20I on Saturday, October 24.

(IANS inputs)