We need to win 2 of 3 formats vs India to get support: McMillan

Auckland, January 21

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New Zealand are up against a “powerhouse”, former all-rounder Craig McMillan said about the Black Caps’ upcoming series against India. New Zealand will host India for five T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests. McMillan feels that after their 0-3 Test series loss in Australia, the Black Caps will have to win in two out of three formats to be eligible for at least the “pass marks”.

“It’s big. This whole Indian tour is big after what happened in Australia,” McMillan said. “This Indian side are a powerhouse. Doesn’t matter if it’s Tests, ODIs, T20s, they are the real deal, so it’s going to be a really intriguing tour. For New Zealand to get pass marks for this tour, they need to win two of the three series.”

T20 importance

The series start with the first T20 here on Friday. McMillan said that with the T20 World Cup scheduled to be held later this year it is imperative for New Zealand to win this assignment.

“Five T20s to start and I know it’s not everyone’s favourite format of the game but we’ve got a T20 World Cup in October in Australia, so straight away these five matches become important. Because of the performance in Australia we need to start winning again and get that support back,” he said.

“They’re still trying to find in T20s what the best side is. We’ve just seen the Super Smash and there’s an opportunity for some young guys who performed in that to be given a chance,” he added.

On home turf, Kiwis will be a handful: Taylor

The drubbing that New Zealand got from Australia is still fresh in his mind, but batsman Ross Taylor is hoping that the Black Caps will turn it around on home turf when they take on India in the upcoming limited-overs and Test series.

New Zealand were whitewashed by Australia in the three-Test series recently. India, on the other hand, will go in to the series on the back of a resounding home ODI series victory over Australia.

“We were completely outplayed in all facets of the game throughout the whole series (against Australia) but now we’re back on home soil and India will be a totally different opposition,” Taylor said. “They’re the No. 1 team in the world, but we’re obviously in conditions that we know, so let’s get through the white-ball phase first before we get on to talking about that (Tests),” he added. — PTI

‘Touchdown’ in Auckland

Auckland: The Indian team arrived in New Zealand today for a six-week tour, which begins with the first T20 International of the five-match series here on Friday. “Touchdown Auckland. Let’s go,” India skipper Virat Kohli wrote on Instagram as he posted a picture with Shreyas Iyer and Shardul Thakur. India had toured New Zealand last year, winning the ODI series 4-1 before losing the T20s 1-2. pti

No Ranji test for Saha

Kalyani (West Bengal): Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha, who is recovering from a finger surgery, has been asked to skip Bengal’s next Ranji Trophy clash against Delhi to keep himself ready for the upcoming Test series in New Zealand. The 35-year-old sustained a fracture on the ring finger of his right hand during the Day/Night Test against Bangladesh in Kolkata in November. He underwent a surgery in Mumbai and had his rehab at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. “Wriddhi will not be available for the Delhi match (at Eden Gardens from Sunday). I think the BCCI has said no to him,” Bengal coach Arun Lal said.