New Zealand, the giant killers in a big tournament, will start their campaign against home favourite India at Vidarbha Cricket Association ground, Jamtha, Nagpur. New Zealand has recorded all win so far against India in T20Is and defeated India in one-off World T20 match in 2007.
This time, on the eve of the match New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, said, “We have got a dangerous side to every other side in this tournament.”
The influence of recently retired captain Brendon McCullum is still present among the players. Williamson said McCullum will closely watch the game. Brendon handed over the baton of captaincy to his junior teammates Kane Willaimson. “We were fortunate to have Brendon leading us.He will be watching us closely,” Willaimson added.
Williamson gave a reminder that New Zealand has never lost to India, so they will start the match as the favourite. “We go into tomorrow’s game with a clean slate,” Williamson stated.
However, the right-handed opener knows that T20 is anybody’s game, so what could happen in a match is difficult to make any prediction.
“20-20 is pretty fickle, so anything can happen,” Williamson said.
Willaimson knows Indian Nagpur pitch will be batting friendly, and only spinners will be able to make a difference in the match. So he expects his spinners to play a role in the match. New Zealand has three spinners in their squad, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi and Nathan McCullum, who had to break his retirement he has taken in 2015.
“We are expecting spin to play a big part in Nagpur,” Willaimson said.
India batsmen in recent matches were found out against spinners on Indian pitches. So New Zealand may go with Ish Sodhi and Nathan McCullum.
New Zealand has a good preparation in UAE and Mumbai and their preparations in the country will also help them to play Brendon McCullum type aggressive brand of cricket.
Meanwhile, Willaimson said he will make changes in the team according to the conditions of the pitch.