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After a keenly fought ODI series, the Indian team thrashed New Zealand in the first T20I at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi by 53 runs.
It was a dominant display by the hosts after they were put into bat by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson on a track which was good for stroke making. Openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan started with caution but broke free as they settled in.
Dhawan was the more expressive of the two and kept playing his strokes and Rohit after a sluggish start caught up beautifully. Both the openers were eventually dismissed for 80 each and the stage was perfectly set up for captain Virat Kohli who stomped out and smacked 26 runs in 11 balls.
India ended with a massive score of 202 which was always going to be a tricky chase for the visitors and constant wickets ensured that their chase never got going.
The Indian bowlers were spot on with their line and lengths and never allowed the Kiwis to get rid of the shackles. Tom Latham was the highest scorer but even his 39 was a laboured effort as he got it in 36 balls.
It was a fitting tribute for Ashish Nehra who bowled brilliantly himself and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket as few catches were dropped off his bowling.
Here is how the reactions flowed in after the match:
Ashish Nehra: "I will miss all this. That's what you train for. One thing which will definitely be at peace will be my body. I said earlier that I can go a couple more years, but there can't be a better time to walk away. I must be the one bowler who sent down the last over most number of times for India. But those times were different; there was no pressure today. The game has changed a lot since I started playing. I played my first game here in 1997. The rules have changed and so many runs are being scored. But whatever happens, this team is here to stay. The future of Indian cricket is in safe hands for the next six-seven years. I have played under many different people, but it has been a memorable journey. I was telling Viru also this; he scored so many runs, but people still call him Multan ka Sultan, so you are remembered for a particular moment. At times, you pick up wickets off bad balls, but as a cricketer, you in front of a mirror need to realise how well you are playing and what you need to do. There are so many people who asked me if I would have liked to play Test cricket. But you can see the glass as half-full or half-empty. I last played Test cricket when I was 24 or 25, but at the end, to have played for 18 years and to be here standing in blue clothing and to have played my final match, I could not have asked for anything more. I have no regrets. I am always happy, retired or otherwise."
Kane Williamson: "A disappointing performance from us in all areas.One that stands out is the fielding. We were very poor there. I don't think we can use the ground conditions as an excuse. India were superb and played better. When you're chasing a total like that which was certainly many above par, you do need to take risks. It was disappointing but we will be back in Rajkot. We couldn't quite use the spinners the way we would have liked to, which was to control the rate of scoring, but they bowled very well. I would like to congratulate Ashish Nehra on a fabulous career. Always a gentleman."
Virat Kohli: "Very clinical performance with the whole team. I thought the wicket was damp but Rohit and Shikhar were outstanding. And with the ball as well, we were brilliant. The bowlers bowled where they should and the fielders backed it up. That catch by Hardik Pandya is one of the best I have seen. Shikhar's one-day game is so good and he always wanted to convert that into T20 as well. I think his adaptability was spot-on today and he unleashed all the shots he had. In T20 cricket, you need to keep picking wickets to win games and it's always nice to have options. Using Hardik at 6 and Axar at 7 gave us those options. As a captain, you always need an extra option to pick wickets. That was back in 2003 after he had come back from the World Cup. I was 13 then and struggling for a place in the school team. To have played 19 years is very hard for a fast bowler. I know how professional he's been and how hard he's worked. He deserved this kind of a farewell with the crowd cheering him. He can now spend time with his family, he's got a beautiful family. We'll stay in touch but we'll miss him and I wish him all the best."
Shikhar Dhawan, Man of the match: "I was very happy with the way I batted today. It was needed because I hadn't really performed in T20 internationals. It wasn't an easy wicket. Rohit started slowly, so I took over and did the scoring. I feel like I can play anywhere on the ground. I've got all the shots. All three formats are very important for me. I love all three formats and I love this game. I've got the belief that I can perform in all three formats and I make sure my processes and fitness are in place so I can compete with 25-year olds."
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