Thanks to IPL, there are no mystery players any more, says NZ’s Ronchi
Ronchi said the global visibility of IPL, where even the so-called mystery players are big names, no player is impossible to plan for any more.
India start the ODI series against New Zealand with the likes of Manish Pandey, Jayant Yadav and Mandeep Singh drafted in the squad. The three haven’t seen major action at the international level but are likely to play a role in the first three ODIs. On the eve of the match, New Zealand’s wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi insisted there weren’t mystery players any longer and it was not hard to set a plan for them.
“These (players) are big names in IPL and we also have players who have played with them in the league. You actually know more about the people because IPL is live on TV all around the world. You get all the footage from anywhere you want. Also, we have some New Zealand coaches in IPL. I think we have got enough information to get them out early or hit them out of the park,” said Ronchi.
Outplayed in the Test series, the ODIs give the visitors a chance to look India in the eye. Both teams will remember the Nagpur T20 where India succumbed to the guile of Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi. Brought to their knees, India were made to look fragile against spin, and the wounds may still be fresh. The Indians will be itching to have a go at the Kiwi bowlers but it’s easier said than done.
The Black Caps may have been inconsistent in Tests, but they have enjoyed a decent run in ODIs and T20s, and this gives them hope.
Read | Tests are past, ODIs are a completely different ball game: Luke Ronchi
“One-day cricket is something we have been doing well for a period of time now. So after losing the Test series, we need to look at the ODIs and perform well and finish off the series on a high note. We need to be positive going into each game and back our process and skills and we have new guys coming to the ODI side and they bring in some new energy as well,” said Ronchi. Like India, the visitors also have a few players coming off injuries and a couple of fresh faces, which leaves scope for trying out new combinations. The Kiwis are perhaps going to be busiest in their build-up to the next ICC event — the Champions Trophy, as they will feature in 24 ODIs.
In India, the return of Tim Southee and Corey Anderson will give a boost to the team morale. “The group we have got here, there are lots of guys who have been around long enough to know their roles,” said Ronchi.