Ahead of their challenging ODI World Cup 2023 match against New Zealand, star India batter Virat Kohli has said that BlackCaps don’t make many mistakes and that’s been their strength at the international level, which gives them more chances of winning the game.
India and New Zealand will lock horns in a top-of-the-table clash in Dharamsala on Sunday as they are only undefeated teams remaining in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023.
“They (New Zealand) are a very professional side and they are also a very structured side. They have a very structured way of playing their cricket but within that structured way they are very consistent and that’s been the reason for their success consistently. They are a very consistent side and credit to the way they have played their cricket,” Kohli said on Star Sports’ show “Follow the Blues”.
The 35-year-old further spoke about breaking New Zealand’s rhythm and playing to the best of their abilities.
“Any team that plays against them obviously has to find ways of breaking that rhythm and playing to the best of their abilities, which will eventually decide whether you’re going to cope up with their consistency or not because they are not a team that makes many mistakes and that’s been their strength and at the international level if you don’t make many mistakes, then you have a great chance of winning the game more often than not. So, that’s as I said full credit to the way they have structured their cricket,” said Kohli.
Former India captain also praised the New Zealand cricket team for performing well in the last 6-7 years.
“The way they have come up in world cricket in the last 6-7 years, 2015 finalists, 2019 finalists and they have beat us in the ICC Test Championship final as well, so yeah big credit goes to them,” said Kohli.
Hosts will be forced to make changes in their playing XI with all-rounder Hardik Pandya set to miss the high-stakes clash after rolling an ankle against Bangladesh, while New Zealand will again be without captain Kane Williamson.