NZ vs IND, ODIs: Mitchell Santner knows the challenge of containing India's star-studded top order, admitting Rohit Sharma has made a habit of punishing short balls. New Zealand are banking on discipline, pressure and smart adjustments at Eden Park.Rohit Sharma will be hoping to make a mark in the New Zealand ODIs (AP Photo) New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner knows there are few easy answers when it comes to bowling to India's formidable top order.
Going short to Rohit Sharma, in particular, might not be the obvious solution any more."Teams have tried to go short at Rohit before, but he hits those for six now," Santner said on the eve of the first ODI against India, which begins on Wednesday.With Rohit, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill set to headline India's batting line-up, New Zealand have their work cut out against a top three that combines experience, consistency and attacking intent. Santner, however, believes there are no secrets to bowling in the 50-over format.
The challenge lies in building pressure and adapting to the conditions."Virat Kohli is an anchor for them. Shubman Gill has been outstanding," Santner said, acknowledging the threat posed by India's batting mainstays. "Their role is to go pretty hard at the top and then set up a good score in the middle and let their power come in at the end," he added.New Zealand will be particularly wary of Kohli and Rohit, who have enjoyed considerable success in the country.
Kohli has scored 596 runs in 13 ODIs in New Zealand, including a century in Napier in 2014, on his first ODI outing in the country. Rohit, meanwhile, has accumulated 437 runs in 14 matches, with four half-centuries.
Gill has a relatively modest record, having scored 124 runs in five ODIs, including one fifty. But Santner believes the young opener has established himself as a formidable presence in international cricket."Rohit, obviously, and Kohli have done it for a long time.
Shubman's been outstanding as well for the last five years," he said.NATURE OF THE PITCH KEY: SANTNERThe New Zealand captain said his bowling group had already discussed how to approach India's top order, with the nature of the surface likely to dictate their plans."If the pitch offers more than the other night, can you do it for a long period of time and challenge the batter? And then if it's flat, how do we change?
What does it look like? Subtle field changes," Santner said."But I think there's not too many secrets with ODI cricket with bowling.
It's just building pressure and trying to get wickets through that way."The conditions at Eden Park could add another dimension to the contest. New Zealand recently piled up 259 in a T20I in Auckland, suggesting the surface could offer plenty for the batters.
With the match scheduled for a late-evening start, dew could also become a factor.The attention surrounding India's star batters has already been evident. Rohit and Kohli attracted considerable fanfare during training, and Santner expects that interest to translate into strong attendance."I think it draws the crowds.
We've had some really good crowds throughout the T20 series, and I expect they'll be the same with Rohit and Virat being here," he said."They're getting on, but they're still playing very well. We saw it in the last series against the West Indies.
I've seen it for a long time. I've seen Rohit in the IPL as well."For New Zealand, the challenge will be to find the right lengths, maintain discipline and prevent India's top three from dictating terms.
Santner knows that plans on paper will count for little if the execution is not there.- Ends