NZ skipper Williamson urges teammates not to think of their poor record in India as they prepare to face rampaging Kohli & Co. in limited overs cricket
Virat Kohli & Co. have mastered the ODI formula. Such has been the consistency by the No. 1-ranked side that after the ICC Champions Trophy final in June, India have won 12 out of 15 ODIs played. In their own backyard, visiting teams are dreading to face an in-form young Indian unit. After taming world champions Australia 4-1 in the ODI series recently, Kane Williamson-led New Zealand are next in line to face India in a three-match ODI series, that gets underway at the Wankhede Stadium on October 22.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson during a practice session at the Cricket Club of India yesterday. Pic/Ashish Raje
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Sixth attempt to win series
This will be New Zealand's sixth attempt to win their maiden ODI series in India. "We were following the Australia series very closely and it's been a good competition. It's important for us to not take too much baggage from results in the past and get ready for the challenge we are going to face," Williamson said during the Blackcaps' first press conference yesterday.
The last time the Kiwis faced India (2016), the Men in Blue scampered to a 3-2 series win under MS Dhoni's leadership. Although the Kiwis managed to give the hosts a run for their money, the same cannot be said now with Kohli in charge.
The Indian selectors once again chose to 'rest' senior spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for the NZ series, giving another opportunity to wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.
"They both are very talented bowlers. Their exposure in the IPL has been huge and they have been very successful. There are not too many Chinaman bowlers going around. Their skill sets are very good. We know it will be a tough challenge to face them, but we are looking forward to it," Williamson added, alluding that his team have to adjust quickly to conditions and have to be flexible in their approach.
Pandya, a big threat
The dramatic rise of all-rounder Hardik Pandya is also a big threat for the Kiwis. "Certainly, in the last year or two, he's been playing outstandingly well. We're seeing him come along with the bat and making contributions that any team would be pretty happy to have from their all-rounder. He's a very vital player for the Indian side in terms of a fast bowling all-rounder," Williamson said.
With odds stacked against the Blackcaps, Williamson & Co. would like to use all their IPL experience to tackle the Indian team.
"Some of our players played in the same team, so there's enough information-sharing going on there. Some guys watch the hand, look at the wrist, read it off the pitch or see it in the air. Everybody is a little different. Wrist spinners also provide scoring opportunities, so we've got to make sure that we're not necessarily jumping in shadows and we're actually playing the ball rather than thinking of them as too much of a mystery spinner," NZ head coach Mike Hesson said.
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