India vs New Zealand | It was good to put up a balanced performance, says Virat Kohli

The Indian cricket team registered another resounding win against New Zealand on Saturday as they beat the hosts’ by a comfortable margin of 90 runs at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan in the first innings set the tone for the Indian innings before MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav powered them to a strong total of 324/4 after 50. The Indian spinners were at it again as Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav picked up two and four wickets each to bowl out the home team for 234.

Kohli, who scored 43 before he was dismissed, lavished praise on his players and commended their efforts on the pitch as India secured a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series.

"We were really balanced with the bat. 325 was par. Not something you feel comfortable considering NZ's batting. But it was good to put up a balanced performance. I made a conscience effort after the drinks break that I'm going to go hard between 34-40 overs so we can get 340-350. Once I got out, the new batsman had to take time. These are the things we need to look into with the World Cup nearby. We would like to score those 15-20 runs extra but at the same time. Our bowlers are not content to go wicketless for 40 runs , they'd rather go for 60 and take three wicket. That mindset is crucial for us," Kohli said at the post-match interview.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma was adjudged as man of the match in the second match after he scored an impressive 87 at the top with opening partner Dhawan not far behind, at 66. Sharma and Dhawan put up a strong 154-run partnership to help India make their way to a second win.

"Good feeling. Most importantly, we won the game. We never knew how the pitch is going to play to start with. But as the game went on, we understood what the par score would be. When NZ-SL played here, it was a high-scoring game. 325 was par. But our bowlers delivered. 

"Shikhar and I understand each other's games. It's crucial for the team as well, when you get that kind of start. I've always enjoyed batting with Shikhar," Sharma said at the post-match interview.

However, opposition skipper Kane Williamson, rued his side’s missed opportunities in the game as he commended the performance of spinner Ish Sodhi.

"A little bit frustrating. It's not so much the losing, it's the way we've been losing. We showed glimpses in the chase, we just didn't do it long enough. We pulled it back with the ball. Still a large total, but Ish was outstanding. There were some good steps forward. There's two games in a row now where we've not had control at any stage, but we need to take small steps. Some of the dismissals were a result of us going too hard maybe. If you have wickets in hand, you never know. But we didn't have wickets in hand. Those are the lessons that we need to take ahead," Williamson said.

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