India’s top scorer for the first ODI game against New Zealand, Shreyas Iyer felt that the side was above par score at the break.
Speaking after the game, Iyer lauded Washington Sundar’s cameo of 37* (16) that took the visiting side over 300 mark in Auckland on Friday.
The score would not be enough as Tom Latham brought out his absolute best and scored 145 runs off just 104 balls, aided by captain Kane Williamson, who remained not out at 94, helping the hosts chase down the target with 17 balls remaining.
“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 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,” Iyer said.
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.
“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,” Iyer said.
India next play New Zealand on 27 November, Sunday at Seddon Park