The number three batsman hit his 18th ODI hundred in the first match of the series at Napier on Sunday. However, it wasn't good enough to win the match for India as the visitors lost by 24 runs, surrendering a 1-0 lead.
"It would have been better if we had won but it has been a positive start for us and I am sure that going forward in this series, we will bat more responsibly and get into good positions," he Kohli said ahead of the second match here.
"It felt very good batting in the last match. The good thing is that we got time to prepare, so mentally I was in the right space," he said.
"We practised for about five days before the series started and it really helped me to set up my plans and play according to the conditions and the sort of bowling that we are going to be facing from New Zealand throughout the series.
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"I got a lot of time to visualise and it was a very good feeling that I was able to execute my plans," Kohli added.
"While chasing, you know how many runs you need to get and that is something I have always taken as a positive," he said, explaining his mindset.