India-New Zealand series will have much added spice and the talk of men in blue wanting to avenge the 2019 World Cup defeat has been played much.
But Indian captain Virat Kohli brushed aside all such ideas saying that the Kane Williamson-led side is so "nice" that you can't even get into such a zone where you think of exacting revenge.??
Talking to the media before the first T20I, Kohli was asked if the World Cup semifinal loss is still on their minds and will the series be a perfect time to settle the scores. He laughed while hailing the Kiwis for setting the "right example for teams to play at the international level".
"Honestly, even if you think about revenge, these guys are so nice, you can't get into that zone. We get along really well with these guys and it's all about just being competitive on the field. They are probably one side that has set the right example for teams to play at the international level and how they should carry themselves. They are not nasty and you can tell by the way they play. We have a lot of respect for them and vice-versa. We were actually happy for them when they qualified for the finals because when you have lost you have to look at the larger picture," said Kohli.?
The Men in Blue had to leave for New Zealand the very next day of the third and final ODI against Australia, which they won in Bengaluru. And Kohli feels the schedule needs to be a little better, especially when they are traveling abroad.? ??
¡°It¡¯s getting closer and closer to landing at the stadium straight. That how compressed the gap has become. This kind of traveling to a place that is seven and a half hours ahead of IST is difficult to adjust immediately. Hopefully, this will be taken into consideration in the future,¡± said Kohli.
¡°But this is the year of the World Cup, and every T20 is important. So we can¡¯t lose our focus,¡± he added.
?In the current tour of New Zealand,?India will play five T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests.??