Indian captain Gautam Gambhir returns with the teammate at the end of the first One-Day International against New Zealand at Nehru Stadium in Guwahati. India won the match by 40 runs. (AFP Photo)
New Zealand were 169 for 8 and it looked all but over. The Indians were waiting for the end, some of us had started to discuss Ajit Agarkar, some even were thinking about Justin Green but Kyle Mills and McCullum took NZ to 236. And just when you think you had a game on, as it often happens, the tail froze. Game over. The highlight of the game was Virat Kohli's hundred.
Taylor: " You wanted some early wickets but Vijay and Gambhir batted well. Also Virat Kohli. We couldn't take early wickets as they did to us. Disappointing result. Martin Guptill batted well but we lost 3-4 wickets. Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum got us close but Virat had played well and I think took the game away from us.Hopefully we can pick ourselves up and play well in the next game."
Gambhir: "Leading the first side and to get the first win under your belt is very satisfying. Everyone chipped in and Virat went on to score a big one. I am happy with the team's effort. We also would have bowled first on this wicket as there was a lot for the bowlers. So the game plan was to just stay there and try not to lose too many in the first ten overs. As a captain, I am taking one game per time. I would like to say that Ashwin bowled brilliantly. Nehra and other bowlers too bowled well. "
Man of the match is Virat Kohli: " It feels good. I went out there and continue my form . HOpefully I can continue in the next few games. I had a kind of a lean patch in Sri Lanka recently; the team-mates and coach backed me. I would like to thank them. I try to probably stop myself if I feel like playing a big shot and enjoy the singles. I have been lucky that we have had strike players in the other end. My role is to bat long and put the team in a good position."
That's it from us. Good bye and good luck.