Team India have ended their seven-match winning streak after losing the first of the two-match test series against New Zealand on Monday. Virat Kohli and Co. could not even muster a single 200-plus total in two innings, as they suffered a heavy 10-wicket defeat against the Blackcaps at Basin Reserve stadium in Wellington.
New Zealand, who are coming off a 3-0 thrashing from Australia in their last test series, exhibited a solid show to take 1-0 lead in the two-match test series.
Post the victory, skipper Kane Williamson reflected his thoughts on the overwhelming victory.
According to the captain, it’s more about executing the roles and responsibilities assigned to each and every individual rather thinking about results. The mantra has perhaps helped them overcome the Australia drubbing and take 1-0 lead against India in the ongoing test series.
“It’s just about stripping things back a little bit,” Williamson was quoted as saying in Times of India.
“You can get carried away thinking about results (especially) when you have a number of poor ones and sometimes the want for a good one can be a distraction to getting it.
“So it’s about focusing on the things that are important, the roles that give us the best chance of success, and if we do that the result manifests (itself),” he added.
“I think that’s what we saw in this game and that was what was pleasing.”
After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, New Zealand bowlers made a mockery of Indian batting line up, bundling them out for just 165 runs in first innings. In reply, New Zealand notched up 348, courtesy Kane Williamson’s 89 and not to forget Tailenders’ contribution lower down the order.
With a deficit of 183 runs, India had a mountain to climb. However, barring Mayank Agarwal, no other player could cross even 50-run mark, as India were bowled out for 191 in the second innings, setting a target of 9 runs for New Zealand to win the first test.
“In terms of previously coming to the Basin it would be a day and a half and then the wicket would become quite docile and very batter friendly but (this) was a good balance between bat and ball.
“The lower-order partnerships were quite important.
“And obviously without those, having to chase something similar (a target of about 150) would have been really challenging.” He concluded.
