Williamson takes up first big challenge after McCullum era
MUMBAI: It’s the opening match all teams would have liked to avoid, and New Zealand will be battling against odds in the World Twenty20 opener when they take on the hosts and No 1 ranked side in the world, India.
Starting with the three-match T20 series in Australia, India’s stocks have risen with each game and new New Zealand captain Kane Williamson had no hesitation in admitting that MS Dhoni’s side will be the favourites in their clash in Nagpur on March 15, in the first game of the 16-team competition’s Super 10 group stage. TOUGH CONDITIONS “India are the favourites and considering the conditions they will be tough to beat. There are a lot of players who can win matches. We want to focus on our game, how we play that and how best we can play on the day. We have to be smart against the opposition,” Williamson said on Tuesday.
New Zealand are the No 4 ranked T20 team and enjoy the reputation as big stage players, something they are deriving inspiration from. “All teams will come here believing they can win it. We have got a tough match first up and we will be preparing as best as we can in these conditions. It would be great to get off to a good start and hopefully carry a bit of momentum throughout the tournament.”
It will be the first major tournament for the Kiwis since skipper and explosive batsman, Brendon McCullum, called it a day.
Besides taking over as captain, Williamson is also New Zealand’s premier batsman. For the young player, batting will hold the key against India. BATTING THE KEY “If we score more runs than them, then we should win it. It’s important we adapt. We have been playing some good T20 cricket but at the same time you want to play smart. Over here, cricket can be different to perhaps our conditions and we are fully aware of it.”
Having started with a hun- dred on Test debut, India holds a special place for the 25-yearold. “It’s been a huge amount of time in India since that first tour. There are a couple of things you look back and think were quite funny, and playing against some of your heroes when you grow up, the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman (he is mentor and batting coach of Williamson’s IPL team, Sunrisers Hyderabad). It’s always great to play in this country with the passion the Indian public has for the game.”
A good showing will also be a perfect tribute to their legendary batsman Martin Crowe, who died last week aged 53, after a prolonged battle with cancer.