New Zealand Batter Stresses ODI Series Importance for World Cup Preparation
New Zealand cricketer Henry Nicholls has highlighted the critical value of bilateral ODI series for his team's preparations ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup in 2027. Speaking before the second ODI against India on Wednesday, the 34-year-old batter explained how limited opportunities in the 50-over format make every series significant.
Limited ODI Cricket Between Major Tournaments
Nicholls pointed out that one-day international cricket now occurs less frequently between major global events. This scarcity elevates the importance of each bilateral series for teams building toward tournament success. "I think there's not as much one-day cricket between major events," Nicholls told reporters during the pre-match press conference. "That makes these series even more important. For us as a group, it's an exciting format."
Maintaining Format Readiness Through Domestic Cricket
The left-handed batter revealed how New Zealand players have maintained their connection to the 50-over game. Several squad members have participated in List A cricket back home during breaks from international duty. This domestic experience has helped them stay prepared for ODI challenges.
"A few of us have been playing some List A cricket back home," Nicholls explained. "We have got a bit of the 50-over format under our belt. It's a format that we enjoy playing. We're certainly looking to make the most of these opportunities as a team."
Facing Indian Batting Greats as Learning Experience
Nicholls discussed the particular challenge of confronting Indian batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He described these encounters as valuable learning opportunities for the visiting team. "Any time you play, you're going to learn from players like that," he stated. "That's a challenge that we knew coming into the series."
The New Zealand batter praised his team's bowling unit for their efforts against these premier batters during the first ODI. He noted visible improvement as the match progressed. "To see in the first game... the way the guys adapted, certainly from a bowling point of view... I think we saw a little bit of that towards the end of the match," Nicholls observed.
Building Pressure on Indian Pitches Remains Key Challenge
Looking ahead in the series, Nicholls identified maintaining pressure against top-quality batters on Indian pitches as a crucial task. This aspect will test New Zealand's strategic execution throughout the remaining matches.
Series Context: India Lead After First ODI Victory
India currently lead the three-match series 1-0 following their four-wicket victory in the opening encounter. Chasing New Zealand's total of 300 for 8, the hosts reached their target with contributions from multiple batters.
Key performances from the first ODI included:
- Captain Shubman Gill's 56 runs
- Virat Kohli's substantial 93-run innings
- Shreyas Iyer's valuable 49 runs
- KL Rahul and Harshit Rana's finishing contributions
For New Zealand, Nicholls and Devon Conway established a solid foundation with their 117-run partnership. Indian bowlers Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshit Rana each claimed two wickets to restrict the visitors' scoring.
The second ODI presents New Zealand with an opportunity to level the series while continuing their preparation for longer-term World Cup objectives.
