New Zealand are aware that they cannot be complacent after their win over India in the first Test as a new challenge, perhaps a tougher one, awaits them in the second match, which starts in Pune on Thursday.
New Zealand beat India in India for the first time in 36 years when they won the Bengaluru Test on Sunday. But the hosts are preparing to hit back and will test the visitors on a spin-friendly track in Pune.
Daryl Mitchell knows what lies ahead but remains optimistic about his team’s chances.
“One thing we can’t do is we can’t change the surface, so for us, it’s reacting to what’s coming at us and adapting on the fly,” Mitchell said at a media conference on Tuesday.
“As Kiwis, that’s what we pride ourselves on... we get stuck into the moment, we stay where our feet are and be as present as possible.
“We can’t change the wicket. What will be, will be. But I’m sure we’ll come up with a plan and find a way to take 20 wickets and hopefully score a few runs as well,” he added.
Talking about plans, India have included off-break bowler Washington Sundar in the squad for the second Test to tackle the left-handed batters in the New Zealand line-up. As India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said on Tuesday, Sundar's ability to "take the ball away from the left-handers" adds to India's spin options.
Rachin Ravindra (134 & 39) and Devon Conway (91 & 17), both lefties, hurt India in the first Test.
While the Black Caps prepare for all such tests, they also do not want to rest on the laurels of their winning performance in Bengaluru. "It is in the past... We’ll just be ready to go for that first ball and get stuck in the way we do,” Mitchell said.
