New Zealand’s cricket team is fully focused on the immediate challenge of facing India in a tough white-ball series, rather than looking ahead to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next month, senior batter Daryl Mitchell said on Wednesday.
India, led by seasoned campaigners Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, will host New Zealand in a three-match ODI series starting Sunday, followed by five T20Is. The T20 World Cup is scheduled from February 7 to March 8 across India and Sri Lanka.
Mitchell emphasised that the team’s priority is the present series. “We'll look at the T20 World Cup in a month. For now, we’ll focus on the ODI series against India, who have some outstanding bowlers themselves, including the likes of Bumrah and Chakravarthy,” he told media at New Zealand Cricket’s Golf Day organised by TCM Sports.
He added that a key value for the team is being fully present and tackling the immediate challenge. “That’s the exciting thing—we’ve got three ODIs against a world-class Indian team in Indian conditions, in front of full crowds. We’ll control the now and look forward to the World Cup later,” Mitchell said.
While Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy are not part of India’s ODI squad, both are expected to feature in the T20Is. Mitchell highlighted that adapting to Indian conditions, particularly against spin, will be critical. Drawing on experience from international cricket, he said, “It’s a great challenge coming into these conditions. As a New Zealander, you don’t grow up on these surfaces, but I can use past experiences, including the 2023 ODI World Cup, to tackle it positively.”
Fellow batter Henry Nicholls stressed that touring India offers younger players a unique opportunity. “There’s not many places in the world with the same excitement and passion as the fans here. For some fresh players in our squad, playing against India in their own conditions will be invaluable,” he said. Nicholls described it as a “carrot” that comes with exposure, potential IPL opportunities, and the chance to compete against the best.
Nicholls also underlined the importance of managing external pressure and distractions. “It can be overload at times, but as Black Caps, it’s about keeping things simple, knowing your role, and performing to the best of your ability. At the same time, you need to enjoy the experience—the level of interest and excitement from fans here is unmatched,” he said.
Having toured India previously, Nicholls noted that the team has limited familiarity with the venues for the opening ODIs in Vadodara and Rajkot. “Not too much—last time I played in Indore. Every ground is different, and in India, ground sizes and outfields can really affect scores,” he added, stressing the importance of quickly assessing conditions ahead of match day.
Overall, New Zealand is approaching the series with a focus on execution, adaptability, and presence, aiming to challenge India in home conditions while preparing the squad for the upcoming World Cup.
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