New Zealand cricketers are prioritizing the immediate challenge of facing India in the upcoming white-ball series rather than looking ahead to the T20 World Cup, which begins in February, batter Daryl Mitchell said on Wednesday. The three-match ODI series starts on January 11 in Vadodara, followed by a five-match T20I series.

Speaking at the New Zealand Cricket Golf Day organised with TCM Sports, Mitchell highlighted the importance of “being where our feet are” and focusing on the present challenge. “We’ll worry about the T20 World Cup in a month. Right now, it’s about playing an ODI series against India, who have world-class bowlers,” he said, referring to the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy, who will feature in the T20Is but not the ODIs.

Mitchell, who has previously played in Indian conditions, said he would draw on his past experiences, including the 2023 ODI World Cup, to tackle spin-friendly surfaces. “It’s a great challenge for a New Zealander, as we don’t grow up on surfaces like this. But experience helps you adapt, and it’s exciting to play in front of full crowds,” he added.

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Teammate Henry Nicholls echoed the sentiment, noting the series provides invaluable exposure for younger players. “Playing against India in their backyard is a huge opportunity. The excitement and passion of the fans is unlike anywhere else in the world,” Nicholls said, adding that young players must keep their approach simple and focus on their roles.

Nicholls also highlighted the importance of adjusting to the unique conditions and grounds in India. “We don’t know much about venues like Vadodara and Rajkot for the first two ODIs. It’s about assessing the outfields, ground sizes, and conditions, which can significantly affect the scores,” he said, emphasizing the need for adaptability.

The New Zealand players stressed the balance between managing pressure and enjoying the experience. “There’s a lot of attention and noise, but it’s also about enjoying it. Playing against the world’s best team in their own conditions is a test every cricketer wants,” Nicholls concluded, reinforcing the team’s focus on performing in the present rather than worrying about future tournaments.

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