Lower-order made a psychological dent on New Zealand: Kohli

The bowlers performed exceptionally well but Indian captain Virat Kohli feels it was his team's lower-order batting which made a "psychological dent" on New Zealand during the home side's memorable win in the 500th Test here.
"One of the most important things in Test cricket is to have a strong lower-order who can contribute and this is one area we are working hard with the bowlers, everyone from Ashwin onwards wants to contribute and that puts a psychological dent on the opposition," Kohli said in the post-match presentation.
"They think they can get you out for 300 but you end up getting 340-360 and thus the momentum shifts from the opposition. We have improved in this area and we need to keep working on it because those 40-50 runs will be crucial when we play abroad," he added.

Ravindra Jadeja scored unbeaten 42 and 50 runs in the first and second innings, while Ashwin contributed 40 runs in the first essay during the opening Test here.
"The boys have applied themselves really well. Few moments we were in a spot of bother. Initially we had momentum with us when we were batting but then couple of soft dismissals and we were at the back foot. But Jadeja and Ashwin batted really well in the first innings. Umesh also contributed and those 30-40 runs make a psychological difference," Kohli said.
"They were batting really well at one stage and it takes character to come out and get those early wickets in the first session.

"I am still early in my captaincy and I take advise from others. We have attacked in one mode in the past and then runs have leaked aplenty and this one learning we are taking forward that when wickets don't come we have to be patient, cut the runs down and put pressure on the batsmen," he added.

Kohli described it a memorable win and also credited New Zealand for showing character and guts to fight it out despite being in a tough position when they were set a target of 434 by India.
"It has been a memorable Test match. It has been very good right from the second day onwards when New Zealand were batting really well and me and Ashwin were chatting that it is going to be an exciting Test and we have to play our best to keep them under pressure," he said.

An elated New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said that 260 was a good score and the total was possible due to having partnerships.
"Absolutely happy and proud. What we wanted was build partnerships. It was not an easy surface. Although you always want more, 260 was not a bad effort on that surface," he said.
Asked why he went for batting first after winning the toss in day/night matches, a choice against general trend in India, Williamson said, "Coming here, we had to decide between dew that may or may not come in versus the deterioration of the surface. The dew didn't come in, so that perhaps worked in our favour.

On the decisions to drop Corey Anderson and Luke Ronchi, he said, "We have played on different surfaces so that affects selection. Also it has been a long tour."
It's exciting to go 2-2 in the series. India are a great side, it is exciting to go level into the final match."
Man-of-the-Match Martin Guptill said, "It certainly is a great feeling. To put up a performance myself and give the team a defendable total is satisfying.
"We thought we could have got more but it was a defendable total. It came down to our bowlers to do the job, and they did. Virat is a class player and to get him early was a big step," said Guptill who scored 72 while opening the New Zealand innings.