During the 2002-03 series New Zealand had thrashed India on green-tops. Will there be a similar strategy this time around?
I don't think ODIs will be played on green-tops. The pitches will have something for both the bowlers as well as batsmen. But Test-match pitches might be a little different. We will look to play to our strengths and pitches which favour seam bowling will be high on agenda.
Both your coach and captain have insisted that they will try and hustle India with pace. You have your task cut out...
We have a good bowling unit. There are bowlers like Adam Milne, who has clocked 150 km/hr recently. He is a young guy who has come up well and can be a handy bowler for us. Then there's Mitchell McClenaghan and Corey Anderson, who is a quality all-rounder. Don't forget, he has the fastest ODI century to his credit. We will be a competitive unit in ODIs.
The IPL franchises will be following this series with a lot of interest before the auctions. Do you think that will be an added incentive for the players?
I hope not, that shouldn't be the case. Young players should look to do well for New Zealand. An IPL contract can be a by-product of that. I hope they don't play this series with IPL contracts in mind.
The fact that India struggled a lot in South Africa against pace has obviously not been lost on the NZ team mnangement...
We have taken note, but then India recovered well in the Test matches. Look, not for nothing, they are the No. 1 ODI team in the world. They will come hard at us and I am expecting a very competitive ODI series.
Have you worked out the dangermen in Indian team?
Virat Kohli, without a doubt. He was quite brilliant in India and carried it forward in South Africa. He is a player who can bat in all conditions, and we have to be careful. And then there's MS Dhoni. His ODI abilities are phenomenal and we have a plan in place for him. Let's see how it works.
What are your thoughts on the Indian pace attack?
It's not a bad attack, but a little low on experience. Not too many guys have played international cricket in New Zealand and that's what we should look to capitalize on. But then, I was quite impressed with the way (Mohammad) Shami has bowled. He has pace, can reverse the ball and might create problems.
You have seen Ishant Sharma even while playing for KKR...Are you a little disappointed with his lack of progress?
I wouldn't say that, he is a quality bowler. He seems to be sorting it out now. India have stuck with him because they see his obvious talent. I think he will do well in New Zealand.
0 comments:
Post a Comment