IND vs NZ 2026: 'New Zealand focused on white-ball assignment vs India, not T20 World Cup' - Daryl Mitchell

Star New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell said that the Kiwis are determined to perform well in the white-ball matches against India and are not letting the subsequent T20 World Cup work as a distraction. The Blackcaps will play three ODIs and five T20Is against the Men in Blue, starting this week.

Mitchell is looking forward to the challenge of facing a "world-class" Indian team in their own backyard, inside packed stadiums. The right-handed batter, who scored a magnificent century in the 2023 ODI World

Cup against India, also praised Indian bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy.

"We'll look at the T20 World Cup in a month. For now we'll worry about playing an ODI series against India, and they've got some pretty good bowlers themselves with the likes of Bumrah and Chakaravarthy," Mitchell told the media during New Zealand Cricket's Golf Day organised by TCM Sports.

"A really key value for us as the New Zealand cricket team is being where our feet are and that means being in the present and what the challenge is at that moment. That's the exciting thing is we've got three ODIs against the world-class Indian team in Indian conditions in front of full crowds. So we'll be where our feet are. We'll control the now and we'll look forward to the World Cup in a month," he added.

It's a great challenge when you come into these parts: Mitchell

Mitchell emphasised the need to adapt to the different conditions prevalent around the world. He said he wants to learn from his previous experiences playing in India and do well in the upcoming matches.

"I've been playing international cricket for a little while now and as a part of playing international cricket you have to adapt to different conditions all around the world," he said.

"It's a great challenge when you come into these parts. As a New Zealander, you don't grow up on surfaces like this. So I'll be able to draw on experiences that I've had in the last few years and take on the positives such as the ODI World Cup in 2023," he added.

The first ODI between India and New Zealand will be played at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday, January 11.