28 February,2009 01:43 PM IST | | PTI
New Zealand players are on a high after their T20 wins over India and opener Jesse Ryder said the team is looking to carry that momentum to the ODI series.
"The boys are on a big high after the games. It turned alright for us. The Indians are world-class performers. To come out on top against them is big. We want to be the winning side and that is what we have done so far. We had our gameplan which we implemented well. We hope to carry the confidence to the one-day series," Ryder said today.
The burly opener, however, felt with Sachin Tendulkar joining the visitors in the one-dayers, things could turn out different.
"They are still a world class side and we need to play to the best of our ability. But we are looking forward to the one-dayers. They have Tendulkar coming in and that adds to the excitement," said the 24-year-old.
Ryder was effusive in his praise for fellow opener Brendon McCullum. "He is arguably one of the T20 player in the world. He is in good form. We hope he carries this into the ODI series," said Ryder.
McCullum scored 56 not out in the first T20 match and an unbeaten 69 in the second to steer New Zealand to successive wins over India.
Ryder said both he and McCullum believed in getting the team off to a flier in Twenty20 cricket. "Brendon and me have a similar game. We like to get the team to a good start. We had had good starts, but I have got a bit carried away and lost my wickets," said Ryder, who managed one and 26 in the two matches.
Ryder, who was lapped up by Bangalore Royal Challengers, said he was looking forward to the Indian Premier League. "I can't wait for that experience. I will be playing with the world's best. And it will be good challenge for me."
Batting apart, Ryder is also trying his arm in bowling. "I may bowl for my state in domestic cricket, but I expect to bowl only a few overs for the Black Caps. I was happy to get a full quota last night," said the right-arm medium pace bowler who conceded just 18 runs in his four overs.
