Hardik Pandya who made his ODI debut in Dharamsala against New Zealand on Sunday had a special mention from captain MS Dhoni after returning with impressive figures of 3 for 31. (Pandya, Kohli heroics hand India 6-wicket win over NZ)
New Zealand, after put in to bat, kept losing wickets at regular intervals and could only manage to put 190 on the board, thanks to the fifties from Tom Latham and Tim Southee. Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 85 as India easily chased down the total with six wickets remaining.
At the post-match presentation, skipper Dhoni said that if Pandya keeps on performing consistently then things would look good for Team India in the future.
"Hardik's performance is important for us, if he continues to do well, then it will be good for us - going into the future."
There was not much on offer for the bowlers from the pitch but Dhoni lauded the effort put in by his bowlers, especially Pandya.
"Fantastic effort from the fast bowlers. We didn't think the pitch will help them this much, they hit the good lengths, especially Hardik, they bowled well and got regular wickets. Coming to the batting, Virat guided us well after the openers got us off to a fast start," Dhoni said.
However, Dhoni not being critical of Axar Patel and Amit Mishra's bowling wants both the bowlers to hit consistent lines. "The early wickets helped us, Axar and Mishra were good, but they need to hit consistent lines." (I was nervous, says Hardik Pandya)
India's limited-overs captain looking at the low target wanted to spend more time at the crease before getting run out for 21.
"I was in no hurry with the bat, I wanted to spend some time, the target wasn't big and I knew I could spend some time in the middle.
"The tosses will be important in all matches, especially considering the conditions, we need to be at our best," Dhoni said.
India now go 1-0 up in the five-match series and will play the second one-dayer in Delhi on Thursday.
At the post-match presentation, skipper Dhoni said that if Pandya keeps on performing consistently then things would look good for Team India in the future.
"Hardik's performance is important for us, if he continues to do well, then it will be good for us - going into the future."
There was not much on offer for the bowlers from the pitch but Dhoni lauded the effort put in by his bowlers, especially Pandya.
"Fantastic effort from the fast bowlers. We didn't think the pitch will help them this much, they hit the good lengths, especially Hardik, they bowled well and got regular wickets. Coming to the batting, Virat guided us well after the openers got us off to a fast start," Dhoni said.
However, Dhoni not being critical of Axar Patel and Amit Mishra's bowling wants both the bowlers to hit consistent lines. "The early wickets helped us, Axar and Mishra were good, but they need to hit consistent lines." (I was nervous, says Hardik Pandya)
India's limited-overs captain looking at the low target wanted to spend more time at the crease before getting run out for 21.
"I was in no hurry with the bat, I wanted to spend some time, the target wasn't big and I knew I could spend some time in the middle.
"The tosses will be important in all matches, especially considering the conditions, we need to be at our best," Dhoni said.
India now go 1-0 up in the five-match series and will play the second one-dayer in Delhi on Thursday.