Ahmedabad, March 8 -- What makes New Zealand a very dangerous side is how they adapt to different surfaces. They are used to pace-friendly pitches at home, but even on typical subcontinent tracks, India have been on the receiving end on many occasions in recent times.

First, the Kiwis had a clean sweep against India in the Test series in late 2024, and then beat them in the recent ODI series. The debacle in the ODIs was followed by a five-match T20I series, seen as the build-up for this T20 World Cup. Naturally, the Indian team management was nervous. Another hammering at the hands of the Mitchell Santner-led side would have been disastrous for the confidence of the home side.

Left-arm spinner Santner has been a big threat to India for ...