T20 World Cup: NZ bank on India's 'second favourite' tag for semi-final push
India Today
New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell said his side was ready to embrace their tag as Indian cricket fans' "second favourite team" as they attempt to steer through a demanding Super Eight group and return to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.
New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell believes the Black Caps can draw strength from their status as Indian cricket fans' "second favourite team" as they attempt to navigate a tricky Super Eight group and book a place in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.
The 2021 finalists, who were knocked out in the group stage in the previous edition, now face two must-win clashes against former champions Sri Lanka and England after their Super Eight opener against Pakistan was washed out on Saturday.
"We think of ourselves as India's second favorite team, and the support that we get in the country is really cool," Mitchell told Reuters.
"Hopefully we could turn the sea of blue that we're used to when we play against India into some black shirts as well."
While the warmth of Indian crowds is welcome, the immediate test lies in handling subcontinental conditions. New Zealand must first negotiate the turning tracks of Colombo when they face Sri Lanka on Wednesday, followed by England two days later. Mitchell feels the squad's accumulated experience in these conditions could prove decisive.
"We all grew up in New Zealand on fast, bouncy, grassy wickets," he added.
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