ICC World Cup 2019 | Next game against India is massive for New Zealand, opines Daniel Vettori

Kane Williamson-led New Zealand have lived up to their underdog tag at the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019 going on to win all three of their matches in the tournament thus far. The Kiwis started with an impressive 10-wicket win against Sri Lanka and followed that with a narrow two-wicket win against a determined Bangladesh side. They won their last match by a comprehensive seven-wicket margin against Afghanistan.

Former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori, who captained the national team at the inaugural Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa in 2007, claimed that after three back-to-back wins in England, the next game against India will prove decisive.

"Three wins from three is a major confidence boost for New Zealand – but the next game against India is simply massive.To be able to go into that one with six points is a big boost and while the wins were probably expected, they can still be really satisfied with getting over the line and setting up a really great game.You know that matches against India are going to have a great atmosphere and be a real pressure situation.

"India are perhaps the best team in the world and it’s exciting to play in front of a big-match crowd that is so into the game and so passionate about cricket. Lots of the guys will have experienced that in the sub-continent but to have that in England is going to be something that’s new to them and something they need to get used to as the tournament goes on, particularly if they want to reach those semi-finals," Vettori wrote in his column for Scroll.in.

The former RCB player and coach further singled out all-rounder Jimmy Neeshan and pacer Lockie Ferguson after they impressed in the recent win against Afghanistan.

"The win against Afghanistan last time was once again impressive, everybody played their part in a positive performance. But the real stand-out came from Jimmy Neesham and Lockie Ferguson, nine wickets between them is a really impressive performance, and Neesham’s figures in particular were amazing. If everyone’s honest, they probably see Jimmy’s role as to fill in a few overs here and there, keep things tight and to pick up the odd wicket here or there if he can.

"But if he can become a match-winner like he has in this game, New Zealand will take that every day of the week.The fact that he got five wickets didn’t surprise me, despite his record – it was the fact he got five of the Afghanistan top seven," Vettori added.