India will play five ODIs, five T20Is and two Tests on the tour of New Zealand later this year.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has voiced his caution regarding the threat posed by Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, hoping that India's two ODI stalwarts find the conditions less welcoming when they return to Kiwiland later this year.
Speaking to PTI, Santner praised Kohli and Rohit as "masters of the ODI game" but expressed a clear desire to use home conditions strategically. India will play five ODIs, five T20Is and two Tests on the tour of New Zealand in October and November.
"It is going to be a challenge. They are still very good players as we have seen for a long time; masters of the ODI game. They have taken a liking to some New Zealand pitches in the past. Hopefully, not this time around," Santner said.
He emphasized that the upcoming ODI series will serve as a massive building block for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The Black Caps will host Sri Lanka for three ODIs before travelling to England for their final World Cup preparations next September.
"We've got five against India, three against Sri Lanka at home, and then it is World Cup prep in England in September 2027, right before the World Cup," Santner stated.
He added that defeating India at home would be a major target for New Zealand. "But first things first, you want to win a series against India at home, which would be an awesome thing. Then it is trying to find out what the make-up might look like come October next year."
Beyond the white-ball preparation, Santner said that the two-Test series against India will be vital for World Test Championship (WTC) points.
With India now going through a transition in Test cricket, he expects the conditions in New Zealand to present another challenge to Shubman Gill and his men.
"I think what we spoke about before is trying to adapt quickly," he said. "For a new-look India side, it is probably going to be the first time some players have been playing red-ball cricket in New Zealand, where the pitches will be a little bit foreign. They will probably do a bit more than they might do back home."
Santner, however, acknowledged the strength of India’s bowling attack to compete in New Zealand.
"If you look at their squad, it is a very well-rounded squad. You throw Jasprit Bumrah back into the bowling attack, you have got Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna with the bounce. You have got Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar to bowl spin. You have got probably a fourth seamer in there as well."
"It is shaping up nicely. I think it is going to be a great series. Traditionally, it can do a little bit in New Zealand at that time of the year," he remarked.
Santner also issued a strategic warning to Indian batters, advising them to resist the urge to "fight fire with fire" against the moving new ball.
"It could be trying to fight fire with fire, playing your shots. There might be times we need to sit back and let the bowlers go for a bit, try to get the shine off the ball. There is a lot that can go on in the Test matches in New Zealand."
Despite the Test rubber being shorter than the white-ball assignments, Santner said facing India remains the ultimate benchmark because they are consistently ranked among the best in the world.
"Whenever India come, even if it is only two Test matches, it is going to be exciting. Everyone wants to challenge themselves against the best in the world and they are up there."
Immediately after the home series against India, New Zealand will travel to Australia for a grueling four-Test series.
Santner said success at home will be vital for building momentum. "First things first is ten pretty big white-ball games against India; two very good sides in ODIs and T20Is. We have to shift pretty quickly to two Test matches," he said.