The Test series loss is behind them and New Zealand are ready to make a game of it in the ODIs, according to their batsman Anton Devcich. After suffering a whitewash in the three-match Test series, New Zealand's tour now moves on to the one-day internationals, where the Kiwis will hope for a better result.
New Zealand fought hard, but they were always up against an India team who were better under these conditions and knew what needed to be done to pick up victories. Devcich, one of the three New Zealand players who have come in for the ODIs – the other two being Tim Southee and Corey Anderson – believes that experience, even if it might have been a bad one, will stand the Kiwis in good stead going into the five one-day internationals.
"It was a tough series," Devcich, who will hope to make an impact at the top of the order for New Zealand, if given an opportunity, said. "It was very hot, and the conditions were testing.
"Although we didn't pick up any victories, the boys got a lot of experience out of that. Hopefully the ODI wickets aren't as spinner-friendly, and we can post some good scores and bowl well on those wickets. If you look at the team, we've got two world-class batsmen, top 10 bowlers, new spinners and a couple of all-rounders. Our team is balanced and hopefully we can upset India here."
New Zealand might have been forgiven for letting their heads go down after that final match in Indore, where they were outplayed and outclassed by an India side in complete control of the situation from ball one. However, heavy defeat or not, big Test match series loss or not, the Kiwis still believe in their strengths and are ready to give India a contest in the ODIs.
"The confidence within the group is still high," Devcich added. "There's no better place to come and test your skills. They're tough to beat here.
"They've got a big hold over world cricket at the moment, with the way they have played. If we can perform and do what we plan to, we can be very competitive."
The first ODI is scheduled for Sunday in Dharamsala.
