Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has lauded New Zealand’s disciplined and methodical style of play, highlighting their unwavering consistency and professionalism as they prepare to face India in the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 match.
New Zealand has maintained an unblemished record in the tournament, having faced formidable opponents like England, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the Netherlands. Meanwhile, India has also started the competition without any losses, but their unbeaten streak will be put to the test in their upcoming match against the BlackCaps.
In a conversation on the Star Sports show “Follow the Blues,” Kohli spoke highly of New Zealand’s professionalism and structured approach to cricket.
“They are an extremely professional and structured team. Their methodical approach to the game, combined with their consistent performances, has been the key to their success over the years. They are a team known for their reliability and have consistently demonstrated their strength. Credit goes to the way they have played their cricket,” Kohli remarked.
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“Any team facing them needs to find ways to disrupt their rhythm and perform to the best of their abilities. This will ultimately determine whether they can match New Zealand’s consistency because they are not prone to making many mistakes. That’s their strength, and at the international level, a team that minimizes errors has a strong chance of winning more often than not. So, as I mentioned, they deserve full credit for how they have structured their cricket,” he added.
In their ODI World Cup history, India and New Zealand have met eight times, with New Zealand emerging victorious in five of those encounters.
New Zealand’s recent performances in major cricket events, including their appearances in the finals of the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, along with their victory over India in the 2021 World Test Championship final, have further bolstered their confidence.
“The way they have risen in world cricket over the past 6-7 years, reaching the finals in 2015 and 2019, and defeating us in the ICC Test Championship final, speaks volumes about their growth in the sport. They deserve a lot of credit,” Kohli emphasized.
The much-anticipated showdown between India and New Zealand is scheduled to take place at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.
