PLANNING AHEAD: MS Dhoni will be looking to get the youngsters in his team some much-needed overseas practice, before the 2015 World Cup. PHOTO: BCCI
AUCKLAND: India arrived in New Zealand for their first tour in four years on Monday, with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni saying he will not be taking the ‘fantastic’ Black Caps lightly.
India will play two Tests and five One-Day Internationals (ODI) against the New Zealanders, in a tour itinerary shortened by one Test and one Twenty20 due to India’s participation in the Asia Cup in late February.
The tourists’ main interest is likely to be the ODIs, with the trip allowing them to familiarise themselves with New Zealand conditions ahead of the 2015 World Cup.
Dhoni, whose side is rated number one in the 50-over format compared to New Zealand’s eighth-placed ranking, stated that India would not underestimate the Black Caps.
“They will be a fantastic side,” he said. “They’ve got good bowlers in their side now. I would rather go into the series not taking the New Zealand team lightly.
“Especially at home, they’ll know the conditions better than us and for some who have not played here, it will be a challenge.”
Dhoni was confident India’s one-day attack was capable of lifting its performance, particularly in tight situations.
“It has been a common question, people always talk about our bowlers getting smashed,” he said. “But we have seen over a period that they have improved, the death bowling has improved.”
‘Spinners need to be patient’
With New Zealand, a dry zone for spinners, it will be interesting how Dhoni picks his attack while ensuring a seven-man batting order in alien conditions.
Unlike Indian conditions, where spinners tend to be effective sooner, wickets are far more flat and dry overseas, and the captain said that patience is often the key.
“When you travel outside one thing the home team loves to do is make wickets that don’t turn at all,” said Dhoni, according to The Times of India.
“They [spinners] need to have a bit more patience and not give runs and that will ensure that we build pressure from one end and when the ball turns, go for the kill.”
The first ODI will take place in Napier on Sunday.
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