“For now, we'll worry about playing an ODI series against India” - Daryl Mitchell has his eyes on ODI series instead of T20 WC

Daryl Mitchell has said New Zealand are not thinking too far ahead about the T20 World Cup and are instead concentrating on the immediate ODI series versus India, insisting that preparation and execution in this bilateral assignment come first.

08 Jan 2026 14:48 IST

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New Zealand middle-order batting all-rounder Daryl Mitchell has set his eyes on the forthcoming three-match ODI series against India, which is scheduled to start on Sunday, January 11, in Vadodara.

Speaking to the media during New Zealand Cricket’s Golf Day organised by TCM Sports, Mitchell has asserted that the team will look forward to the ICC T20 World Cup later in the month’s time, but they will have their eyes on the ODI series for now.

"We'll look at the T20 World Cup in a month. For now we'll worry about playing an ODI series against India, and they've got some pretty good bowlers themselves with the likes of Bumrah and Chakaravarthy," Daryl Mitchell told the media during New Zealand Cricket's Golf Day organised by TCM Sports.

"A really key value for us as the New Zealand cricket team is being where our feet are and that means being in the present and what the challenge is at that moment. That's the exciting thing is we've got three ODIs against the world-class Indian team in Indian conditions in front of full crowds. So we'll be where our feet are. We'll control the now and we'll look forward to the World Cup in a month," he added.

"I've been playing international cricket for a little while now and as a part of playing international cricket you have to adapt to different conditions all around the world," he said.

"It's a great challenge when you come into these parts. As a New Zealander, you don't grow up on surfaces like this. So I'll be able to draw on experiences that I've had in the last few years and take on the positives such as the ODI World Cup in 2023," he concluded.

New Zealand ODI squad for India tour:

Michael Bracewell (c), Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay (wk), Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Will Young.

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