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NZ's Jamieson: India Tour Perfect Prep for 2026 T20 World Cup

New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson states the team's ongoing tour of India is perfect preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will also be hosted in India and Sri Lanka. He emphasized the value of playing high-quality cricket in local conditions to adjust to climate and time zones ahead of the global tournament. All-rounder Daryl Mitchell added that while the World Cup is a goal, the team's strength is focusing on the present ODI and T20I series first. The tour runs from January 11 to 31, leading directly into the World Cup starting February 7.

Key Points: NZ's Kyle Jamieson on India Tour as T20 World Cup Prep

  • NZ tour includes 3 ODIs & 5 T20Is vs India
  • Series serves as prep for 2026 T20 World Cup
  • Focus on acclimatizing to Indian conditions
  • Team values focusing on present series first
2 min read

India ODIs, T20Is perfect preparation for T20 World Cup 2026: New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson

New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson says the ODI & T20I series in India is ideal preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup, hosted by India & Sri Lanka.

"It's perfect, you probably couldn't ask for a better sort of preparation - Kyle Jamieson"

Mumbai, January 6

New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson said New Zealand's tour of India will come as a good preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, which is also set to be played in India, along with Sri Lanka.

New Zealand are set to play three ODIs followed by five T20Is against India from January 11 to 31. Following the T20Is, both teams will compete at the T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to get underway on February 7.

Ahead of the first India vs New Zealand ODI, Kyle Jamieson said the Kiwis are using the series as ideal preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup, with the focus on being as ready as possible to compete for the title. He highlighted that playing high-quality cricket against strong opposition in India, spending extended time in local conditions, and adjusting to factors like climate and time zones will help the team prepare well for the tournament.

"That's what we all plan and prepare and train for, to have a good chance of trying to win the World Cup. So we're no different to every other team. You try to come as best prepared as possible and try your best to have a good result," Jamieson told reporters on Tuesday.

"It's perfect, you probably couldn't ask for a better sort of preparation right in terms of having really good cricket against a high-quality opposition in the conditions you're going to play in. So yeah, it's great for us. It's nice to spend a month here before the World Cup. To get used to conditions, get used to the different time zone, the temperatures, all that stuff that you know that comes with playing cricket in this country. So yeah, certainly looking forward to it," he added.

All-rounder Daryl Mitchell, on the other hand, said the team values staying focused on the present, prioritising the ongoing ODI series and the upcoming T20 series against India, before turning their attention to the T20 World Cup.

"The T20 World Cup is always something you look forward to, but the strength of this group is that we focus on the now, and being where our feet are is a key value. So we'll focus on the ODI series first, and then we'll obviously go on to the T20 series against India. And then we'll look forward to the World Cup," Mitchell said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
It's great to see such a respectful and strategic approach from the NZ team. They are always tough competitors. Looking forward to a good series! Mitchell's point about focusing on the present is spot on.
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Ananya R
Honestly, I wish our own board and team would plan long-term like this sometimes. We have the talent but other teams seem to have better process. Hope we use this series to finalize our T20 WC combinations, not just win bilaterals.
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Vikram M
Absolutely correct. A month in India before a big tournament makes a huge difference. The food, travel, humidity... it's not just cricket. Smart planning by New Zealand. Should be a cracking series!
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Karan T
They are coming with a plan, we can't take them lightly. Remember the 2021 WTC final. Our team needs to treat every match as a preparation for the World Cup too. Exciting cricket ahead! 🏏
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Priya S
Good to see the mutual respect. New Zealand is one team that always plays hard but fair. Hope the pitches are good for both batters and bowlers. Let the best team win! (But obviously hoping it's India 😉)

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