Veteran New Zealand pacer Tim Southee said that India is a powerhouse in their own backyard and the BlackCaps will need to adapt quickly to Indian conditions for having a chance to beat them on their upcoming tour in November-December.
The New Zealand side will tour India for two Tests and three T20I matches in November with the Tests scheduled to be played in Kanpur from November 25 to 29 followed by a match in Mumbai from December 3 to 7.
The Test matches will be preceded by three T20Is to be played in Jaipur (November 17), Ranchi (November 19), and Kolkata (November 21).
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"It's been a long time since we played India in India...they are a powerhouse in their own conditions. Such foreign conditions we are not used to, so we need to adapt to the conditions as quickly as possible," Southee said after New Zealand announced a 16-member squad for the tour.
New Zealand’s squad saw Colin de Grandhomme and Trent Boult being rested and a spin-heavy attack being picked with Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner being the main spinners with Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips for support.
Southee also said that the WTC 2021 is a thing of the past as a new World Test Championship cycle begins with the India tour.
"New cycle is exciting. A great place to go on tour and test yourself against very good opposition and in trying conditions. It's great to be part of the last cycle. We hit the reset button and looking forward to the next 2-year cycle.
"There is something special about Test cricket. It's incredible to be part of the Test side. Over the last number of years the success we had not only at home but overseas has been incredible to be part of. Test cricket is something I absolutely love and any chance to get to play is a special moment. Representing your country at the highest level is truly an honor," he said.
Southee said touring has drastically changed for cricket teams due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said, "Not only touring life, life, in general, has changed for a number of people and as cricketers, we also had to adapt to that. A lot of times in bubbles, lot of time in quarantine, so it's changed the way we have traveled. One of the positive side is we spent a lot of time together as a team."
(PTI inputs)
