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Whitewashed 3-0 by India in a T20 series on the heels of their
World Cup final defeat by Australia, the 'Black Caps' have lost
that winning feeling as they head into the first test in Kanpur
on Thursday against an opponent bent on revenge.
New Zealand may have golden memories of beating India in
Southampton to claim the inaugural WTC trophy in June but the
neutral territory of the Rose Bowl can hardly seem further away.
Without pace spearhead Trent Boult and all-rounder Colin de
Grandhomme, New Zealand will face the same opponents where they
have never won a test series let alone a test since the 1988/89
tour.
"You realise the enormity of the challenge ahead," head coach
Gary Stead told reporters on Tuesday.
"India are a fantastic side. They’ve got world class spinners in
their environment here as well.
"(They are) one of the great challenges on the test calendar.
It’s something we haven’t done for a while, we haven't been here
since 2016 but we’re certainly looking forward to what's ahead."
New Zealand will have only two training sessions as a full squad
before Thursday, with the T20 players having rejoined the camp
on Monday following the defeat in Kolkata.
A number of players are well short of match fitness, including
batsman Ross Taylor and paceman Neil Wagner.
Selectors have yet to decide who will replace batsman Devon
Conway for the first test after he broke his hand punching his
bat at the World Cup.
"We’re as prepared as we can be in this COVID world," said
Stead.
"India are also coming off a T20 series ... Hopefully for us
they are in a similar boat to what we are as well."
New Zealand's four-prong pace attack reigned supreme in the last
COVID-affected WTC cycle but the Black Caps will be unable to
fall back on their traditional strengths in Kanpur and Mumbai.
They will hope left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel and offspinner Will
Somerville can pressure India's powerful batting lineup, with
all-rounder Mitch Santner also likely to be on hand with
left-arm spin.
Stead acknowledged New Zealand would need to manage some players
carefully after their long stint on the road but said there was
little time to dwell on things.
"In two weeks we’ll be on a plane home, things will happen
really quickly for us," he said. "So it’s really important that
we get focused on the job and the challenge that’s in front of
us."
(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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