New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell said the team remained fully focused on the white-ball series against India and were not distracted by the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Star New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell said the Blackcaps are determined to perform strongly in the upcoming white-ball series against India and are not allowing the T20 World Cup to become a distraction. New Zealand are scheduled to play three ODIs and five T20Is against the Men in Blue, with the series beginning this week.
Mitchell said the team is looking forward to the challenge of facing a strong Indian side in their home conditions and in front of packed crowds. The right-handed batter, who scored a memorable century against India during the 2023 ODI World Cup, also praised India’s bowling attack, naming Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy as key threats.
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“We’ll look at the T20 World Cup in a month. For now we’ll worry about playing an ODI series against India, and they’ve got some pretty good bowlers themselves with the likes of Bumrah and Chakaravarthy,” Mitchell told the media during New Zealand Cricket’s Golf Day organised by TCM Sports.
Daryl Mitchell To Focus On The Present
Mitchell stressed the importance of staying focused on the present challenge and not looking too far ahead. “A really key value for us as the New Zealand cricket team is being where our feet are and that means being in the present and what the challenge is at that moment. That’s the exciting thing is we’ve 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 and we’ll look forward to the World Cup in a month,” he added.
Speaking further, Mitchell highlighted the need for players to adapt to different playing conditions around the world and said he aims to use his past experiences in India to his advantage.
“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,” he said.
Mitchell also described touring India as a unique challenge for visiting teams. “It’s a great challenge when you come into these parts. As a New Zealander, you don’t grow up on surfaces like this. So I’ll be able to draw on experiences that I’ve had in the last few years and take on the positives such as the ODI World Cup in 2023,” he added.
The three-match ODI series will begin on Sunday, January 11, with the opening game set to be played at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.
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