IND v NZ 2023: Daryl Mitchell says tour of India helping New Zealand try out new formations and different balances

The Kiwis are without some of their senior players in the ongoing ODI series.

By Salman Anjum - 24 Jan, 2023

Having lost the first two ODIs, New Zealand have conceded an unassailable lead to India in the ongoing three-match series.

One of the main reasons behind the visitors’ listless performance is the absence of some of their senior players, including skipper Kane Williamson.

However, all-rounder Daryl Mitchell feels the tour of India is helping New Zealand try out new combinations and different balances.

Apart from Williamson, the Kiwis are missing the services of veteran pacers Trent Boult and Tim Southee in the ongoing white-ball tour of India.

"Not having Kane here I think is a great opportunity for the group to test out some new formations and different balances and give some of the guys the experience of playing in India.

"I think it's a great chance for us to keep building to where we want to be as a group," Mitchell said on the eve of the third ODI in Indore.

The BlackCaps put up some fight in their 12-run loss in the series opener while they were totally outplayed in the second ODI, suffered an eight-wicket defeat after being bundled out for a paltry 108.

"Everyone knows that games of cricket like the other day (second ODI) happen, it's the nature of the game, you lose the toss and get out on a slightly challenging surface.

"As a group, we are pretty liberal we don't run the highs too much or the lows. Just stay consistent. So, really excited about tomorrow," Mitchell added.

With the ODI World Cup slated to be held in India later this year, Daryl Mitchell feels it is important for the visiting team to adapt to these conditions.

"For us, it's about adapting to the situations out here, communicating as a group especially the opening partnerships, what the surface is doing and how we want to go about it," Mitchell stated.

(With PTI Inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 24 Jan, 2023

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