Daryl Mitchell emphasised on the New Zealand squad focuses on staying grounded, asserting that the team does not blow situations out of proportion. He added that the Kiwis will rely heavily on their recent experience playing in India to navigate the pressures of the upcoming T20 World Cup semifinal.
We're pretty clear how we want to operate as Black Caps: Daryl Mitchell
New Zealand is set to take on last edition’s runners-up, South Africa, in the first semifinal match at Eden Gardens this Wednesday. Mitchell expressed confidence in the team's preparation, stating that the Kiwis have complete clarity on their tactical approach and how they intend to operate in this high-stakes encounter.
"We're pretty clear how we want to operate as Black Caps and that's both on and off the field. We don't make things bigger than what they are, but we're also very excited to be in this position and know how lucky we are to be here in a semifinal. Just looking forward to getting stuck into the contest, trying to win little moments is something that we constantly speak about and hopefully that means we're heading off to a final in a few days' time," Mitchell told New Zealand Cricket.
New Zealand has been preparing for this tournament by staying in India since the beginning of the year, competing in a three-match ODI series followed by a five-match T20I series. This extended tour allowed them to play across various venues, providing crucial acclimatisation to local conditions leading up to the main event.
'We've spent a bit of time here in India in last 2 months and we know what conditions'
Mitchell highlighted that this intensive build-up will be invaluable for the team. He stated that New Zealand intends to rely heavily on that recent experience to navigate the challenges of the upcoming matches.
"We've spent a bit of time here in India in the last two months and I guess we know what conditions we'll be coming up with. It'll be different to what we've experienced in the last fortnight in Sri Lanka. But also I think guys will trust the preparation that we've had over the last few months and just looking forward to getting stuck in. I would say the Sri Lankan surfaces were a lot slower and a lot lower and got it quite difficult towards the back end of innings," he added.
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"They've been one of the best teams in the competition for a reason and they are where they are, so we're really excited to take them on. Even here in Kolkata in the semi-final of the World Cup. Both teams are doing everything they can to try and move on to the next stage. For me, it's just going to be really cool to get into a full crowd at Eden Gardens. It's always pretty special," he concluded.