Two days before the first Twenty20 international, New Zealand assembled for what is perhaps their most important summer - or what passes off as summer in these parts - of cricket in recent times. And already they sound in awe of playing what they reckon to be the best side in the world across all forms in a series that will earn New Zealand cricket almost as much money in 45 days from TV rights as rugby, the No. 1 sport by a long margin, does in a year. Listening to coach Andy Moles and batting mainstay Ross Taylor might make the series sound a like hopeless mismatch but they know it will take India time to adjust to conditions and that will be the chance to hurt them.
New Zealand also carry some confidence having pushed Australia to the limit in the Chappell-Hadlee Series in Australia but Moles conceded they missed a trick there. "Having gone 2-0 up in Australia, the feeling in the camp was pretty good," Moles said. "We probably just stood back a little bit, and waited for the Australians to give us an opportunity to win the game. We need to be proactive and go out and win the games against the Indians, who are probably the No. 1 side in the world."
