New Zealand's stand-in captain, Michael Bracewell, has firmly dismissed any suggestions that Indian stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are past their prime. Ahead of the three-match ODI series against India, Bracewell emphasized that the experienced duo remains a formidable force in the 50-over format and should not be taken lightly.
Bracewell's Strong Praise for Indian Veterans
Speaking to the media during the New Zealand Cricket Golf Day in Mumbai, Bracewell made his admiration clear. He stated it would be "silly to underestimate" Kohli and Rohit, expressing his desire to see them feature in next year's ODI World Cup. "I'd like to see them play in the World Cup. They're obviously still playing very good cricket so there's no reason to stop," Bracewell said.
He further highlighted their impeccable track records, noting their contributions both as individual match-winners and as leaders within successful Indian teams. "They're both playing beautifully, so why not? Their records speak for themselves," the New Zealand all-rounder added, confident they will be central figures for India in the upcoming global tournament.
Series Details and New Zealand's Challenges
The ODI series, which marks the return of Kohli and Rohit to international action, is set to begin on Sunday, January 11, in Vadodara. The teams will then move to Rajkot for the second match on January 14, followed by the final game in Indore on January 18.
Bracewell will lead a New Zealand side missing several key players, including regular skipper Tom Latham, all-rounder Mitchell Santner, and rising star Rachin Ravindra. Acknowledging the gap left by Santner's absence, Bracewell admitted, "Whenever you're missing players of Mitch Santner's calibre, you're always going to be struggling to replace them." He stressed the need for a collective team effort to fill the void.
Focus on the Present and Building for the Future
Despite the T20 World Cup being just over a month away, Bracewell underlined the importance of focusing on the immediate task. "You have to be where your feet are and take care of what's in front of you. We've obviously got an important one-day series coming up against India," he remarked. He pointed out that the extended time in Indian conditions would be invaluable for his team's development.
New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the month-long stay is a significant advantage ahead of the T20 World Cup. He also identified newcomers like Michael Rae, Kristian Clarke, and left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox as players to watch during the tour.
The event also saw TCM Sports MD Lokesh Sharma commend the collaborative initiative with New Zealand Cricket, noting that such engagements help strengthen ties in a crucial market like India.
