IND vs NZ 2026: BlackCaps continue series with eye on bigger picture after 3-0 deficit

New Zealand’s bowling coach Jacob Oram acknowledged that his side has been outplayed in the ongoing T20I series against India but insisted that the BlackCaps are looking beyond the one-sided results and keeping their eyes firmly on the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

India have taken a convincing 3-0 lead in the five-match series, with the visiting side struggling to find rhythm against an ultra-aggressive Indian batting lineup. Despite the scoreline, Oram stressed that there are larger goals at play as the Mitchell Santner-led side prepares for the subsequent T20 World Cup, starting February 7. 

"Well, the easy answer is that we win these two games (4th and 5th T20Is) and that would be nice for the overall team confidence. I said before about guys coming back from niggles and injury layoffs, guys finding their own individual confidence, but to win games is nice," Oram said during the pre-match press conference.

Oram was clear that results in this bilateral series should not be viewed as a disappointment; rather, the team should focus on fixing things before the start of the world event. 

“To sing our winning team song after a nice victory against a good side would be cool, but at the same time you've got to look a bit deeper than wins and losses. And that's not downplaying the results here, but we've got to make sure that we're looking at the longer term and the bigger picture as well. And historically New Zealand have peaked well during the ICC events,” Oram added. 

Staying calm is the solution to India’s onslaught: Oram 

When asked how the team copes with constant pressure against ultra-aggressive batting units like India’s, Oram reverted to what he believes is a Kiwi strength.

“I think we have an ability to stay calm amidst the storm that is currently happening… We don’t get too high or low and we know we’re not playing as well as we can. At the same time we know that this Indian team is so good. So we’ve got to make sure to keep our eye on the longer term,” he concluded.  

The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand is scheduled on January 28 and will be played at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam. The series will conclude on January 30 with the fifth and final T20I in Thiruvananthapuram.