A demoralised Indian team, beaten 2-0 in the Tests series and four down in seven-match one-day series, will look for a confidence-boosting win in Wednsday's encounter with New Zealand.
With the team's prospects bolstered by the return of star bat Sachin Tendulkar, skipper Sourav Ganguly said there was still a lot left to play for in the remaining matches, most important being the need to return to winning ways ahead of the World Cup.
The Indians have lost everything on this tour and are a dejected lot, but Ganguly said winning the rest of the matches would enable the team to go to South Africa in a positive frame of mind.
"There is still a lot to play for in the three one-day internationals. We have got the World Cup ahead and must get back to the winning streak which we had last year," Ganguly said.
"We had won almost everything last year. Now we have lost both Tests and four one-dayers, but it's all past and we want to go to World Cup in a confident mood," he said.
The Indians were also pleased to know that turf manager, Trevor Jackson, had prepared a batsman-friendly pitch at the Westpac Stadium for Wednesday's game.
Jackson said the pitch was drier than normal and would have medium bounce. "There should be a little bit of movement with the new ball, but it's looking very good," he said.
Like India, New Zealand were also welcoming a few stars in their team with celebrated all-rounder Chris Cairns and fast bowler Shane Bond all set to play.
Home captain Stephen Fleming said he would be using the next three games as a tune-up to the World Cup and try out a few new ideas.
