India and New Zealand will clash in the first T20I of the three-match series in Wellington on November 18, 2022, in what will be the start of a new journey for both these teams.
Both New Zealand and India lost their semi-finals in the recent T20 World Cup in Australia and look to change their fortunes building towards a new strategy and roadmap leading to the 2024 T20 World Cup.
India is being captained by Hardik Pandya and VVS Laxman is the coach of the team in absence of senior players like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli, and coach Rahul Dravid being rested for this entire six-match white-ball tour.
Ahead of the first T20I match against New Zealand, Indian head coach VVS Laxman said that the batters have been asked to play fearless cricket while keeping conditions and situations in mind.
“In T20I cricket, we need to play with freedom and fearlessness and we have such players that can go out and express themselves. The message given to them by the captain and management is that they bat fearlessly but also keep conditions and situations in mind and create strategies accordingly,” said Laxman in a press conference.
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Laxman admitted that the shorter format needs more multi-dimensional players, bowlers who can bat, and batters who can bowl.
“More number of bowlers who can bat adds depth to batting lineup and gives freedom to batters to go out and express themselves. That is the need of the format and I am sure that more teams will try getting this in their selection process and identify players who are multi-dimensional,” he added.
Hardik Pandya will be captaining India in a T20I series for the second time in his career and talking about his leadership qualities, VVS Laxman said that Pandya is not only tactically good but also very calm on-field.
“He is a fabulous leader. We have seen what he has done in IPL. I have spent time with him from Ireland. His presence and work ethic are exemplary. He is a player’s captain and is approachable. Players confide in him. He leads by example,” he added.
Laxman also said that he has enjoyed his journey as a coach.
“For me, we should not dive too much into results. It has been enjoyable for me. When I joined NCA, it was about giving back to Indian Cricket. It has been an opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with youngsters and it is fulfilling. What I saw in Ireland, that these youngsters are talented, but they always want to learn, grow and improve as players and it is exciting. Their thought process is exciting,” Laxman said.
(ANI inputs)
