New Zealand's cricket team is deliberately keeping the upcoming T20 World Cup on the backburner, choosing instead to concentrate fully on the immediate challenge of a white-ball series in India, according to batter Daryl Mitchell. The Kiwis are set to play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) starting this Sunday, followed by a five-match T20 International series.
Present Moment is the Priority for BlackCaps
Speaking to the media in Mumbai on Wednesday, Mitchell emphasized the team's core philosophy of staying in the present. The T20 World Cup, scheduled for February 7 to March 8 across India and Sri Lanka, is still a month away. For now, the formidable Indian bowling attack, featuring stars like Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy, commands their complete attention.
"We'll look at the T20 World Cup in a month's time. For now, we'll worry about playing an ODI series against India, and they've got some pretty good bowlers themselves," Mitchell stated. He explained that a key value for the New Zealand side is "being where our feet are," which translates to living in the present and tackling the challenge directly in front of them.
"That's the exciting thing is we got three ODIs against the world-class Indian team in Indian conditions in front of full crowds. So we'll be where our feet are. We'll control the now," he added. Interestingly, both Bumrah and Chakravarthy are only part of the T20I squad and will miss the ODI leg, a fact Mitchell acknowledged.
Drawing from Past Experience in Indian Conditions
Mitchell, who has considerable experience playing in India, including during the 2023 ODI World Cup, said he will rely on those memories to handle the spin-friendly conditions. He admitted that as a New Zealander, one doesn't grow up playing on such surfaces, making adaptation crucial.
"I've been playing international cricket for a little while now and as a part of playing international cricket you have to adapt to different conditions all around the world," Mitchell said. "It's a great challenge when you come into these parts... So I'll be able to draw on experiences that I've had in the last few years."
Young Players See India Tour as a Major 'Carrot'
Fellow batter Henry Nicholls highlighted the unique allure of touring India for the younger members of the squad. He suggested that performing well here could act as a significant "carrot" due to the visibility it provides, especially with Indian Premier League (IPL) scouts watching.
"There's not many places around the world they have the same excitement and passion that the fans here do. We've got some fresh guys in the squad as well who haven't experienced it," Nicholls remarked. He called the opportunity for new faces to play against India in their own backyard "invaluable."
However, Nicholls cautioned against overcomplication. He stressed the importance of the BlackCaps' mantra of keeping things simple, knowing individual roles, and embracing the electrifying atmosphere. "I say there's not many places you play in the world that has the level of interest and excitement as when you play a game in India at these grounds with the fans," he said.
Looking ahead to the ODI series, Nicholls noted that the team has limited prior knowledge of the venues in Vadodara and Rajkot, which will host the first two matches. He pointed out that assessing conditions like ground size and outfield speed upon arrival will be a key part of their strategy for setting or chasing targets.
The series promises to be a crucial test for both sides as they fine-tune their combinations, with New Zealand firmly focused on the present challenge before shifting their gaze to the global tournament next month.
