Scoring some quick runs in the middle overs is one area India need to work on ahead of the World Cup, said skipper Virat Kohli even as he lauded his side's "clinical" performance in the second ODI, here Saturday.
India thrashed New Zealand by 90 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. India bowled out the hosts for 234 in 40.2 overs after posting 324 for 4.
"Clinical performance again. We were really balanced with the bat. 325 was par. Not something you feel comfortable considering New Zealand's batting. But it was good to put up a balanced performance," Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
With Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan going great guns, a 350-plus score was a real possibility but the visitors couldn't score extra runs in the middle overs, partly due to the dismissal of Kohli (43).
"I made a conscious effort after the drinks break that I'm going to go hard between 34-40 overs so we can get 340-350. Once I got out, the new batsman had to take time. These are the things we need to look into with the World Cup nearby," he said.
"We would like to score those 15-20 runs extra but at the same time, good too see us chip our way to a balanced total."
"That mind-set is crucial for us and as is Rohit and Shikhar at the top."
"When New Zealand-Sri Lanka played here, it was a high-scoring game. 325 was par. But our bowlers delivered."
"We showed glimpses in the chase, we just didn't do it long enough. We pulled it back with the ball. Still a large total, but Ish (Sodhi) was outstanding."