“If we do that…”: Tom Latham speaks ahead of upcoming Test series against India

New Zealand’s new Test captain Tom Latham feels the only way to challenge an almost invincible India in their own backyard is by playing fearless cricket.

Latham has taken over the captaincy from Tim Southee ahead of the 3-match Test series in India beginning on October 16 in Bengaluru.

“It’s an exciting challenging going over to India and once we can go over there, hopefully play with a bit of freedom, bit of no fear and try and take it to them. If we do that hopefully, it gives ourselves a good chance,” said Latham ahead of the team’s departure to India.

Latham is confident for India Tests despite recent series whitewash to Sri Lanka

While India have won their last 18 series at home, New Zealand come to India on the back of four successive series defeats in the World Test Championship, most recently against Sri Lanka.

“In India we’ve seen teams that have done well out there in the past have been quite aggressive towards them, especially with the bat they’ve looked to play a few shots, but also put them under pressure…rather than sitting and waiting for something to happen,” Latham said.

“We’ll decide on how we want to play when we get over there, but guys have got plans around how they like to approach things and hopefully we can fine-tune those,” Latham added.

Despite the recent 0-2 Test series defeat to Sri Lanka, Latham believes that they did a few things right during their matches against the Lankan Lions.

“We actually did some really good things in Sri Lanka. We fell on the wrong side of the results but there were some good things. The approach we had with the bat, apart from that one innings, I thought we played really well. So it’s about continuing that as much as we can and trying to play a brand of cricket that we are proud of playing,” Latham said.

Latham gives his opinion on Southee

With the emergence of young pacer Will O’Rourke, Southee doesn’t remain a sure starter in the Kiwi team. However, Latham backed the veteran all-rounder.

“If you look back, think in Bangalore (Southee) took seven wickets last time we toured there. Someone with that amount of experience who’s done it for many years there’s certainly no reason why he can’t get back to where he’s been in the past. He’s been a fantastic bowler for us for many years, there’s a reason why he’s so high on the wicket list for New Zealand,” Latham said.

“He’ll have a similar role that he has always had whether it’s as captain or in the past, someone like that who has a wealth of experience, a wealth of knowledge in all conditions and he’s done it for many years and has been successful. We’ll certainly be tapping into his mind, his ideas, so looking forward to it,” Latham concluded.

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