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.
Please do hang on for the quotes from the post-match ceremony.
Please do read the bulletin by Sid Monga.
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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.
KD Mills c †Saha b Sreesanth 32 (42m 28b 2x4 2x6) SR: 114.28
NL McCullum c Gambhir b Sreesanth 35 (50m 35b 4x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
END OF OVER:45 | 7 Runs | NZ: 236/8 (41 runs required from 30 balls, RR: 5.24, RRR: 8.20)
- Kyle Mills32 (27b)
- Nathan McCullum35 (34b)
- Ashish Nehra9-0-44-1
- Munaf Patel8-0-39-0
Just felt like dropping two names here: Angelo Mathews and Malinga ... Now then .. Now then ...!
Deepak with the ultimate Ajit tribute: "In a 1 player super over match up between Ajit and Justin Green, I say Ajit would win hands down :)"
END OF OVER:44 | 13 Runs | NZ: 229/8 (48 runs required from 36 balls, RR: 5.20, RRR: 8.00)
- Nathan McCullum34 (32b)
- Kyle Mills26 (23b)
- Munaf Patel8-0-39-0
- Ashish Nehra8-0-37-1
END OF OVER:43 | 4 Runs | NZ: 216/8 (61 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 5.02, RRR: 8.71)
- Nathan McCullum26 (28b)
- Kyle Mills21 (21b)
- Ashish Nehra8-0-37-1
- Munaf Patel7-0-26-0
Mandar: "While we give our expert opinions on Ajit, we seemed to have missed out that this match aint over yet, With McCullum and Mills hitting some lusty blows this match is far from over." Aag fans might say, "If only Agarkar was here"
Vivek: "I remember his 2003-04 australia tour where he grabbed 6 wickets in an innings, on the other hand I also remember WC'99 match against proteas- 42 needed off 41 and Lance Clusener smashed him all over the ground"
Rajesh: "Last 5 overs by five different bowlers....Gambhir tryingtoo much as a captain??"
END OF OVER:42 | 7 Runs | NZ: 212/8 (65 runs required from 48 balls, RR: 5.04, RRR: 8.12)
- Kyle Mills19 (18b)
- Nathan McCullum25 (25b)
- Munaf Patel7-0-26-0
- Ashish Nehra7-0-34-1