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Count before hatch?

Reading most of the build-ups and previews of the upcoming Ind-NZ series would make you think that the Kiwis need not have even bothered to turn up. And while I would be surprised if India do not win the Test series, I do not think it will be as easy as most people seem to be thinking. For one, India do not play NZ too often and also seem to find it oddly difficult to lift their game when playing weaker sides. Seven test matches is not much but the fact is that they have beaten the Kiwis just once this decade. Also, given that this is sandwiched between two tough series against Aus and SA, there will be the old "take-a-break-in-between" factor to worry about. On the positive side, Dhoni is pretty level headed and won't be complacent and the team generally seems pretty geed up about holding on to their No.1 ranking so that bodes well. The test for them will be to show that they can be ruthless and go for a 3-0 scoreline. The general Kiwi approach should also help given that they already sound in awe and half-beaten. Vettori's quote below was hilarious -

"He has been in form longer than some of our guys have been alive"
Daniel Vettori on Sachin Tendulkar ahead of New Zealand's Test series in India

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