Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer admitted that “a few things didn’t go right” in the opening ODI against New Zealand and as a team they need to “introspect” and come back stronger in the remaining two games of the series. Tom Latham hit an attacking unbeaten 145 off 104 balls while skipper Kane Williamson hit an unbeaten 94 off 98 deliveries as New Zealand chased India’s 307-run target with seven wickets in hand and 17 balls to spare. Iyer, who scored a 76-ball 80, said 306 for 7 posted by India was a commendable total, but the visitors were blown away by the unconquered 221-run fourth wicket partnership between Latham and Williamson.
“The situation we were in and from there to get to 307 is a commendable total. Definitely, some things didn’t go the way we wanted today, but it’s a learning curve, we can look inward and come back with new ideas in the next game,” he said. during the post-match press conference.
The right-handed batsman said India cannot afford to be bogged down by the defeat and will face the next two games with a positive frame of mind.
“It’s not easy coming straight from India and playing here. The wickets keep changing everywhere and this is a challenge you have to face. You have to be mentally strong, you just have to adapt to the situations,” said Iyer.
He praised the fearless approach of Tom Latham and skipper Kane Williamson, who made a big difference as hosts New Zealand took a 1–0 lead in the three-match ODI series with a comfortable seven-wicket win in the high-scoring first match here. on Friday.
“Both (Latham and Williamson) played fantastic strokes. They knew which bowlers to target at any given time. I believe their partnership completely changed the scenario of the match and that was a crucial phase for us to get wickets .
“Had we gotten one wicket we would have been under their skin and the situation could have been completely different. But kudos to them for finding the strength to turn those loose balls into bounds and sixes. They were fearless in their approach and I feel like that helped them,” Iyer added.
Chasing a required run rate of over eight, Latham beat Shardul Thakur for 25 runs in the 40 overs, including six and four boundaries that changed the momentum of the match.
“The way Latham took that over (40th), I think that completely shifted the momentum to them. He wanted to come in and he wanted to build those partnerships. Because they’ve been playing together for so many years, they know their strengths and weaknesses quite close,” Iyer said.
On a personal level, Iyer said he is always in his own zone and hardly pays any attention to the outside talk.
“The approach is always optimistic. I don’t like to think much about the future, whatever is in my hands, I do and try to live in the present. Players will come and go, but consistency is what matters. Ups ups and downs are in everyone’s career there’s nothing called stable When people talk outside I just like being in my zone and that’s what helps me.
For him, the biggest learning point is how Latham started his innings.
“The lesson of this match is that if we got a wicket we could have created more pressure. If we could have slowed down Latham’s start we would have been at the top for sure,” he added.
The second ODI will be played in Hamilton on Sunday.
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