Christchurch: Before the five-match T20 International series between India and New Zealand starting on Thursday, host team captain Mitchell Santner has given a big statement about young Indian batsman Vaibhav Suryavanshi. He admitted that if Suryavanshi gets a chance to play in the playing eleven of the Indian team, it will not be easy for the New Zealand bowlers to stop him. However, Santner also clarified that his team has prepared a strategy to deal with this young batsman.
Suryavanshi's aggressive style seen in IPL
Talking to reporters on the eve of the first T20 match, Santner said that even though Suryavanshi did not play in the last T20 series against West Indies, everyone has seen his batting style in the IPL. He said that Suryavanshi is an aggressive batsman and it has been difficult for the bowlers to stop him.
Santner also mentioned the excellent performance of Indian batsmen like Abhishek Sharma. He said that other players in the team are also doing well, but Suryavanshi's role can also be important. If he gets a chance to play in this series, then the New Zealand team will take the field with a prepared strategy against him.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return challenges New Zealand
Santner also reacted to the return of experienced fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the T20 International team of the Indian team after almost four years. The New Zealand captain hopes that unlike the home conditions, the conditions here can prove helpful for Bhuvneshwar.
He said that if the pitch provides even a little help to the bowlers, then Bhuvneshwar can take full advantage of it. In Indian conditions, he has achieved success in swinging the ball even on flat pitches. In such a situation, it may be challenging for the New Zealand batsmen to face him.
Bowlers may dominate in the first match
Santner described the role of bowlers as important in the opening match of the series. According to him, bowlers may get an advantage in the first match, but circumstances can also change rapidly. A lot will depend on the weather.
He told that the second match will be played on the same pitch which will be used in the first match. In such a situation, the pitch may become somewhat flat during the second match. Batsmen will also be likely to benefit from this.
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