India’s tour of New Zealand will kick off this Friday (January 24) in Auckland with a five-match T20I series.
This series is essential for both sides as the 2020 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia is just nine months away, and both teams will make their plans keeping an eye on the mega event.
It was New Zealand who dumped India out of the 2019 World Cup with a thrilling win in Manchester. So does India have revenge on their mind?
“Not really. Even if you want to think of revenge, these guys are so nice that you cant get into that zone. It’s all about being competitive on the field. They are one side that has set the right example for teams to carry themselves on the international stage. We were actually happy for them when they qualified for World Cup finals. When you have lost, you have to look at the larger picture. So nothing about revenge,” said India captain Virat Kohli, while addressing reporters in Auckland.
The Men in Blue had to leave for New Zealand the very next day of the third and final ODI against Australia, which they won in Bengaluru. And Kohli feels the schedule needs to be a little better, especially when they are traveling abroad.
“It’s getting closer and closer to landing at the stadium straight. That how compressed the gap has become. This kind of traveling to a place that is seven and a half hours ahead of IST is difficult to adjust immediately. Hopefully, this will be taken into consideration in the future,” said Kohli.
“But this is the year of the World Cup, and every T20 is important. So we can’t lose our focus,” he added.
Kohli is the most successful Indian Test captain. He leads the national team in all three formats. In the current tour of New Zealand, India will play five T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests.
