Indian cricket team leaves for New Zealand

Mumbai, Feb 19 (ANI): Members of the Indian cricket team left for New Zealand on Thursday morning to play five one-day matches and two Twenty20 matches.

Indian coach Gary Kirsten said on Wednesday that India is not worried about conditions in New Zealand.

"It's exciting that we have got young cricketers and some real experienced players as well. I know how to plan any conditions against any competition. We are not really concerned about the condition. We will go and assess it and build our plans and do our preparation accordingly," said Kirsten.

Reacting to Kiwi skipper Daniel Vettori's statement that facing Indian big-hitters like Virender Sehwag in the upcoming home series is "pretty scary", Dhoni said it was all about form and adaptability and not the size of the ground that mattered.

"So, it's not about the size of the ground, for us it's about the form and the adaptability. We have individuals those who can score those big shots, who can rotate, who can change their game plan as and when needed. We have to tackle the whole team because it's the team sport," Dhoni said.

India would arrive in New Zealand on February 20 and would open the tour with Twenty20 matches from February 25.

The five-dayers would be held between March 3-14 before the first test in Hamilton on March 18.

The five one-dayers will be played between March 3-14 before the first Test starts in Hamilton on March 18.

The remaining two Tests will be played in Napier (March 26-30) and Wellington (April 3-7).

India has not won any match against the hosts in New Zealand since former Indian skipper Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi's 3-1 win 41 years ago.

India lost two tests in the previous tour to New Zealand in 2002. And Blackaps also won the one-day series by 5-2.

India's confidence is reportedly high after recently completing a victorious tour against Sri Lanka where Indians capped their both test match and one-day series wins with a thrilling victory in a Twenty20 international. (ANI)