India vs New Zealand first ODI match has concluded with the Men in Blue winning by 5 wickets while chasing a low score of 143 runs (DLS) at Eden Park, Auckland. Shubman Gill’s inexperienced bowling attack did the job, which helped the side to get a 0-1 lead in the five-match series. The Indian captain opened up on the team’s performance.

Speaking after the win, Shubman Gill was overall happy with the team’s performance. He was overwhelmed by the performance of the inexperienced bowling department, as most of the pace bowlers played their first game in New Zealand and were impressive in the first game. Gill also praised the fielding, especially Rohit Sharma’s run-out, which changed the course of the game.

India bowlers dominate at Auckland

India won the toss and elected to field first, as the Men in Blue went on with a combination of four pacers and two all-rounders. Same with the New Zealand side. The home side had a decent start. But its inexperienced bowling attack, which was led by Arshdeep Singh, made a strong comeback as the wickets kept on tumbling.

The New Zealand opener Will Young was the first to be dismissed for 9 runs. Then Henry Nicholls was also back soon; Tim Seifert’s small, impactful knock of 38 runs was ended by Gurnoor Brar. They were struggling at 84/4 at one stage, and then a small partnership between Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell was building.

But Mitchell was dismissed by a brilliant run-out from Rohit Sharma, who was sharp in the field, as the batter was back for 28 runs. Then Anshul Kamboj did the damage as he bowled amazingly and picked two wickets, giving just 22 runs. His performance with the ball earned him Player of the Match, as the Kiwis were bundled out for 185 runs.

Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli made the run chase easy

Coming out to chase, India did not have the best of a start as Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the first over. But then Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli built a strong partnership of 113 runs off 104 deliveries and took the rain-curtailed game away from the home side.

Kohli played a knock of 74 off 51 balls, smashing 13 fours and one six in his amazing innings. Gill gave good support with 37 runs; there was a flurry of wickets after the two were dismissed, but Naman Dhir hit the winning runs as they finished the game comfortably.

"I think we were very good with the bowling": Shubman Gill on India's bowling in 1st ODI

After the match, Shubman Gill first spoke about the bowling and fielding performance of the team. He feels that they were excellent in both departments. Gill also praised the two inexperienced bowlers, Gurnoor Brar and Anshul Kamboj, who bowled amazingly, picking five wickets combined. He specially mentioned the run-out of Rohit Sharma and Kohli’s catch.

Shubman Gill said (as quoted by Cricbuzz), "[On India's bowling and fielding performance] I think we were very good with the bowling. And I think our fielding was also really good. That run out by Rohit bhai, I think changed the momentum of the game. I think it was really that partnership (Mitchell & Phillips), we saw that even in India - those two batted really well in India. And overall I think a very good team performance for us."

"[On Anshul Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar's performances] I mean Anshul is the kind of a bowler, I think he's tailor-made for these kind of conditions, always nippy, trying to seam the ball. And good with the old ball. We felt when there's not much happening from the wicket, he (Brar) can create that extra bounce and with his pace and the way both of them bowled tonight was really magnificent to watch."

"I think the way Virat bhai batted": Shubman Gill credits Virat Kohli

Further speaking, Shubman Gill said that adapting to such conditions is never easy, and after it rained, the wicket got a bit quicker, and there was some more movement. He said that, as the target was revised due to rain, they were trying to play their normal game. He also praised Virat Kohli’s amazing innings.

Gill further added, "[On adapting to the conditions during the rain interruptions] I mean it's never easy when you are set and then it rains and the wicket got a little bit quick, it got a little bit more nippy after the rain. So the target reduced. So we were just trying to play our normal cricket. And I think the way Virat bhai batted, it made things a lot more easy for us."

"[On areas to work on ahead of the Wellington game] Nothing really, if we are able to replicate our performance, it's all about consistency for us. If we are able to do the same thing over and over again, I think we'll be in a great space."