 |  Touring India is always a challenge and always has been |
New Zealand arrived in India on Monday determined to do well on a tour skipper Stephen Fleming described as tougher than playing against world champions Australia. The 14-man New Zealand squad will play two Tests and a triangular one-day series - also featuring Australia - on a seven-week visit.
"India is one of the most fascinating places in the cricket world," said 30-year-old Fleming, who has lifted New Zealand to third place in the Test rankings behind Australia and South Africa.
"A tour of Australia is just an extension of living and playing in New Zealand. India offers different demands.
"The toughest challenge is culturally and physically. There are a lot of adjustments you have to make and the quicker you adapt the better you do.
"I have found tours of India very enjoyable, but mentally it is very demanding. Coping with the fan pressure is part of it. They are very passionate about their team and they want to see it do well."
New Zealand are without strike bowler Shane Bond, who is recovering from injury, and all-rounder Chris Cairns, whose wife is expecting the couple's second child.
Cairns will join the team for the one-day series, but the Kiwis have been bolstered by the return of veteran batsmen Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle.
| Talk of revenge doesn't come into it |
Fleming played down suggestions India would be seeking revenge for heavy defeats in New Zealand last year on bowler-friendly wickets.
"We don't expect to play on green, seamers' wickets in India," said Fleming, who is on his fourth trip to the country.
"We expect spinners' tracks, that is the way it has always been in India and the onus is on us this time to adjust.
"Talk of revenge and bad blood doesn't come into it. I can't see the issue."
New Zealand lost a Test series 1-0 on their last tour of India in 1999, but a creditable showing in Sri Lanka earlier this year suggests they are getting used to Asian conditions.
New Zealand kept star Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan at bay to draw both Tests, while Fleming scored a memorable 274 not out in the first Test.
"We learnt how to bat against the player who is the best spinner in the world," Fleming said.
"It is just an adjustment thing. Harbhajan Singh is probably similar to Murali while the guys have seen a lot of Anil Kumble and know what to expect from him."
The Black Caps open the tour with a three-day match against the Indian board president's team in the southern town of Visakhapatnam on Friday.
New Zealand Test squad: Stephen Fleming (capt), Nathan Astle, Ian Butler, Robbie Hart, Richard Jones, Michael Mason, Craig McMillan, Jacob Oram, Mark Richardson, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent, Paul Wiseman.
MMIX
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