Shreyas Iyer, India’s top scorer for the first ODI against New Zealand opined that they had managed to register an above-par score at the break. After the game, Iyer lauded Washington Sundar’s 37* (16) cameo that took the visiting side and surpassed the 300-run mark in Auckland on Friday. 

The score would not be enough as Tom Latham came out all guns blazing as he massed 145 runs off just 104 balls, well supported by skipper Kane Williamson, who remained not out at 94, helping the hosts chase down the target with 17 balls remaining.

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As per the quotes in India Today, Shreyas Iyer said, “When we got to 300, we were like we’re over the par score, especially with the way the wicket was playing. it was holding a bit, it was seaming and it was still happening in the 30th and 40th over. I felt like I wasn’t set until we got to 40-50. We got to 307, thanks to Washy and the way he played.”

He further added, “He played an amazing cameo and he came in and built that partnership for us, it was crucial in that phase for us. I felt like it was over par score.”

The right-hander top-scored for the Men in Blue at a strike rate of 105.26. He hit four boundaries and four sixes to keep India in the hunt after a slow start at Auckland. He got some apt support from Sanju Samson as they scored 94 runs for the 5th wicket.

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Shreyas Iyer elaborated, “One of those days where the stars align and the shots that you play tend to go around the gap to where you want them to go. I guess I was trying to get in the strike positions and react to the balls being bowled.”

India next plays New Zealand on 27 November, Sunday at Seddon Park in Hamilton and they will be looking to level the series.