IND VS NZ - 1st T20I, New Zealand tour of India, 2017

That is it from an emotional encounter as the cricketing world bids goodbye to Ashish Nehra. Our team of MS Ramakrishnan, Akshay Maanay, Sagar Chawla and Naga echo the emotion "we will miss you Nehraji". This is Kumar Abhisekh Das signing off.

On a ground, which had turn, was slightly slow, Indian bowlers did really well. Chahal removed Guptill thanks to a terrific catch from Pandya at long-off. And from then on, the juggernaut never stopped as the bowlers kept chipping away with the wickets. Barring Nehra, everyone picked wickets and India allowed the Kiwis to score only 149, winning the game by 53 runs and taking a 1-0 lead.

India wrap up a clinical win and this is their first against the Kiwis on the backdrop of Nehra's retirement. India mounted 202 thanks to 80s from Rohit and Dhawan. A cameo from Kohli helped India push past 200.

Shikhar Dhawan, Man of the Match: I was very happy with the way I batted today. I haven't really performed well in this format. Rohit started off slightly slow, so I had to take up the aggressor's role. I can play anywhere on the ground. I tried to play behind the ball and it worked for me. I love all three formats. I think I have the ability to play all formats. I want to stay fit and compete with the 25 year olds.

Virat Kohli: Very clinical performance from the whole team. The wicket I felt was a bit damp. But the two guys at the top of the order set up the platform for us and were outstanding. We were very smart with the ball. The intensity was right up there. The catch from Hardik was one of the best I have seen in a long time. Dhawan wanted to do well in this format as his record is good in ODIs. He always wanted to transform the same form into T20Is. This knock is a testimony to the fact of what he can do. And he delivered. You need to back your top 5 batsmen along with MS. Hardik as number 6 and Axar at 7 gives us balance. This is something we might follow in the future as well. As a captain, you always need an extra bowling option. (About a pic when he received an award as a 13 year old from Ashish Nehra in 2003) I was struggling to make it into my state side and now when he is retired I am the captain of the side. To keep coming back after the surgeries has been really tough for him. He deserved this kind of a farewell. He has a beautiful family and it is time for him to take care of them.

Kane Williamson: It was a disappointing performance tonight. We were very poor on the field. India played superbly. There are no excuses. We needed to play better. India were outstanding and never gave us a sniff. The spinners bowled really well but the bowlers around them went for a lot of runs. I want to congratulate Ashish on a fantastic career. I have played against him and with him, always a gentleman on and off the field.

Nehra (2/2): More than one performance I would say it's the memory that matters more. In India people remember the memories more. I have told Viru before, he has scored so many runs, but people remember him as Multan ka Sultan. Maybe, the Karachi last over (2004) or people may even remember Ashish Nehra for bowling the last over against South Africa in the World Cup (2011) and we lost. Many people asked me if you would have liked to play more Test cricket. But I think I am very fortunate to be standing here, retiring after 18 years, retiring in blue clothes in your home ground, I have no regrets. The crowd has been a great support. I am always happy whether I am retired or not.

Harsha Bhogle: The bowling was excellent and once again, against a fabled fielding side, India were more sprightly in the field. It was appropriate that Ashish Nehra bowled the last over. He must have been moved by the goodbye from the team and the crowd

Nehra (1/2): I will miss all this. That's what you train for. Like I said earlier, one thing that will be in peace is my body. I really pushed myself. I could have pushed for another two months or years, but who knows you can't get better and bigger than this and it was the right time retiring in blue clothes. I must be one bowler who bowled the most number of last overs for India, but it was different sort of pressure and today was much more comfortable. Virat was on my case for the last 2-3 overs and I said I will bowl the last over. It is a big change and I have seen 18-19 years of cricket, I played my first game here in 1997 and there have been drastic changes. The rules have been changed and so many runs being scored. This is an amazing team and Indian cricket is in good hands for next 7-8 years. Every 8-10 years game changes and I don't like to compare generations. Earlier we had superb players, Ganguly, MS or Sachin, I can't name everybody. All in all it has been a great journey.

The entire Indian team is seen walking along the fence with Nehraji. Such a nice moment it is. Aakash Chopra, Virender Sehwag also have hugs for Nehra. When the going got tough, this man got going. As cliched it might be, but this larger than life character played his pivotal part in ensuring India won some key games. Remember, he won't even be playing IPL. Now comes the moment. Dhawan and Kohli hoist him up on their shoulders. These are the moments which makes the game of cricket what it is. Now all of them sit down for a farewell pic. Dhoni for a change and Kohli as well are more at the front than at the back. The man of the moment has a lot of words to say. Stay tuned for that.

Engulfed in a lot of hugs is Mr. Nehra or as we like to call him Nehraji. Even Williamson has a few words and a warm hug for the senior statesman. The entire Kotla was up on its feet for the final over. Such has been the popularity of this man. Started off in 1999 and wraps it up in 2017. He is seen taking a lap of honour. Touches the feet of Bishan Singh Bedi who was sitting near the sidelines.

Nehra to Ish Sodhi, no run, the last ball for the Indian legend tails away late and the batsman misses it. Just before the last ball was bowled, there was an intruder to thank Nehraji for his efforts. India win by 53 runs. But it is Nehra's moment

Nehra to Santner, 1 run, short ball, pulled away on the bounce to long-on

Nehra to Ish Sodhi, leg byes, 1 run, looks to pull, the ball skids on from a shortish length and pings the body of the batsman. The ball dribbled away towards the right of the keeper and they take a run

Nehra to Ish Sodhi, wide, slower ball outside off and the ball has been wided as the batsman went after it

Nehra to Ish Sodhi, FOUR, the crowd are up waiting for a wicket from their hero but that was chipped over the mid-off fielder's head for a four. Anti-climactic emotions as the ball went away into the fence

Nehra to Ish Sodhi, no run, short ball and the batsman is late on the pull for it to be missed

Nehra to Ish Sodhi, no run, length ball from a short run-up and the batsman looks to slog but misses it

Ashish Nehra [3.0-0-23-0] is back into the attack

Final over. Final time. Nehraji. He has bowled many significant death overs. This one is a memorable last.

Bumrah to Santner, SIX, clubs the low full toss over the long-on's head for a maximum