“The preparation for playing Test cricket in India is underway for New Zealand. New Zealand has never won a Test series in India. Statistically, many can argue that winning a series is a challenge for them in India, as New Zealand has only won twice in a total of 36 Tests played in India, with the last victory occurring 36 years ago in 1988.
For cricketers in white jerseys, their performance in cricket on Indian soil is exceptional. New Zealand is set to play a series of three Tests in India in October. Team captain Tim Southee might see a change in fortune this time. Southee is hoping for a stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL)! The captain’s hope is that the experience of New Zealand players in the world’s top franchise T20 league will benefit them in India. Southee himself won’t be in this year’s IPL.
However, his nine teammates will be part of this year’s IPL. It is believed that the IPL is helping foreign cricketers; Saudi mentioned to the Indian media, ‘You can see talented cricketers from all over the world coming to India. Inexperienced cricketers are getting opportunities to play with foreign players. Foreign players are playing with other foreign players, which you couldn’t even imagine before.’ Saudi believes that the IPL is significantly enhancing the experience of playing cricket on Indian soil for cricketers from around the world. ‘I think cricketers from around the world who play in the IPL are gaining experience of playing on Indian soil, especially in subcontinent conditions. I think, for cricket in general, the IPL is a big deal.’
Talking about the difficulty of playing in India, this pacer who has taken 380 wickets in 100 Tests said, ‘We are used to playing on pace and bouncy wickets here (in New Zealand). But when we go to India, the challenge is spin from the first day. Where reverse swing matters more than conventional swing. Besides, it’s hot there. India itself is one of the best teams in the world. But the challenge awaits the boys.’ The experience of playing IPL matches in various venues in India during April-May helps foreign cricketers in Tests in India. Saudi cited the example of last year’s One Day World Cup in this regard. The 35-year-old bowler said, ‘We have seen the benefits of playing in the IPL in the last One Day World Cup. Teams with multiple IPL-experienced players have performed well.’
Saudi hopes that his IPL experience will help him perform well in Tests in India. However, his teammates do not have the same opportunity in this year’s IPL. Rabin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, and Trent Boult play regularly. Kane Williamson returned due to injury and missed the first three matches for the Gujarat Titans. However, Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips, and Matt Henry have not yet had the opportunity to play matches.”
