NEW DELHI: New Zealand's stand-in captain, Tom Latham, shared his thoughts and team's approach on the upcoming encounter against India on Sunday. Both teams came into the contest undefeated in their four matches, adding to the excitement surrounding the match set in the picturesque Himalayan hill town of Dharamsala.
New Zealand have historically held an edge over India in World Cup match-ups, boasting a 5-3 advantage and having eliminated India in the semi-finals of the last edition in 2019.
However, Latham was quick to acknowledge India's prowess, stating, "They're a fantastic team. They've been playing some great cricket for a long period of time. We've had some great contests in ICC events, but also in bilateral series, whether that be home or away."
Latham emphasised the importance of adaptability, recognizing that the conditions in India differ significantly from those in New Zealand. "Being adaptable is probably one of the most important things for us as a group and trying to do that as quickly as possible," he told reporters.
New Zealand's previous two matches were played in the hot and humid city of Chennai, but now the action shifts to the winter capital of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Latham pointed out that multiple factors contribute to success in a cricket match, noting the strong performance of both teams' top orders and bowling attacks.
As the anticipation builds for this high-stakes clash, Latham confirmed the availability of speedster Tim Southee for the key match. However, New Zealand's regular captain, Kane Williamson, is nursing a fractured thumb. Latham expressed hope that Williamson would recover in time for later stages of the tournament.
In terms of the team's strategy, left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who leads the bowling chart in the tournament with 11 wickets, is expected to play a crucial role. Latham stated that the team would "lean" on Santner's experience to deliver a strong performance.
Finally, Latham extended his support to the All Blacks, New Zealand's rugby team, who are preparing for the Rugby World Cup final in Paris. He emphasised the unity of Kiwis in supporting their national teams, saying, "Kiwis support each other wherever that may be around the world, and we're certainly no different in supporting the All Blacks and obviously we've had so much support back home for us here and this World Cup as well."
With both teams on a winning streak and their captains and players in high spirits, the upcoming match promises to be a thrilling encounter that will have a significant impact on the World Cup's semi-final race.
(With inputs from AFP)
