On the eve of the first ODI, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner talked with reporters and voiced confidence that India’s renowned combination of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma would draw large crowds throughout the series. The two former India captains, who are both nearing the end of their international careers yet continue to perform well, were commended by the New Zealand skipper for their skill and expertise.
Following an entertaining T20I match that India won 3-2, Auckland will host the first of five ODIs between India and New Zealand on November 4.
After winning the first three games to build an invincible 3-0 lead, India witnessed New Zealand mount a remarkable comeback to win the final two games, bringing the shorter format series to a happy end.
How will New Zealand counter India’s batting power?
The New Zealand captain recognized Gill’s great performance over the past five years, while also acknowledging that India’s experienced batting line would pose a challenge in the next series.
New Zealand’s bowling squad has devised a comprehensive strategy to counter India’s batting strengths in the local circumstances. Santner used his observations of Indian batters in various formats to demonstrate the challenge of implementing tactics on surfaces with varying amounts of support for the bowlers.
Santner has also observed that Shubman Gill offers a significant threat to India’s top order.
In ODI cricket, the New Zealand captain highlighted the importance of constant bowling discipline. He highlighted how New Zealand will approach the series by maintaining steady pressure and capitalizing on any good pitch conditions, particularly when confronting India’s top order.
Raghav Mehta is a sports journalist specializing in cricket coverage. His work focuses on breaking cricket news, match reports, team announcements, and significant developments across domestic and international cricket.
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