Former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund applauded Team India for their stunning four-wicket victory against New Zealand in the first T20I. Team India chased down 226 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday, October 22. However, India completed their five-match T20I series against the West Indies at home on October 17 and travelled to New Zealand without a gap as well.

“Let me take a second to acknowledge the fact that India, after winning the Asian Games gold medal, landed just a day into Lucknow to play that T20I series which finished on the 17th of this month and then went straight to Christchurch and played this humdinger of a game and get straight past New Zealand’s 225 and in style. This is an insane effort. To fight sleep, to have the energy, and to play such a close game and thrive under pressure, this is what good teams do and that is exactly what India did,” he said in a video on his Instagram handle.

READ HERE: “He is not here for the milestones” – Hanuma Vihari on Virat Kohli

“They have found a gem in Naman Dhir, who comes in at the end and whacks at a sensational strike rate. To win the game for India, showing composure under pressure, these are great signs when India are looking for all-rounders to fill the number seven and number eight spots,” he again shared.

Abhinav Mukund also commented on Team India skipper Shreyas Iyer after the win. He added that the captain would be relieved and would also aim to win the series from here as well.

“This win should give a lot of happiness to Shreyas Iyer. He knows he has been tested a lot in his short captaincy career. I have a feeling that he will want to win this series. A quick turnaround, and India will once again have to get their A game against this gun New Zealand side, which has a lot of firepower. You cannot let them get to 220 plus every time,” he cocnluded.