Christchurch, Oct. 22 -- As India edged past New Zealand in the 1st T20, Kiwi skipper Mitchell Santner admitted his side was not at its best after their four-wicket defeat.

He acknowledged India's aggressive powerplay put the visitors under pressure but praised his team's efforts to contain the hosts in the middle overs, adding that the closely fought contest could have gone either way.

Santner also stressed the need to sharpen a few areas ahead of the next match.

A fluent fifty from Sanju Samson and a majestic finishing touch from Naman Dhir powered India to a 4-wicket victory over New Zealand in the 1st T20I in Christchurch on Thursday.

"They put us under pressure. We knew they were going to do that, and yeah, another big powerplay ...