Reading Team India's strong batting line-up in slow motion is sending shudders down New Zealand bowlers' spine, cricket columnist David Leggat has said.
"It may be coincidence, but a mischievous mind could read something into the timely return to health of two of India's galaxy of batting stars, Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman, ahead of New Zealand's arrival," Leggat wrote for New Zealand Herald.
"If you say it quickly, it doesn't strike as much fear as a slower perusal does: Sehwag, Gambhir, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, plus a couple of talented extras to fill out the roster," he added.
Leggat also said that New Zealand's batsmen should avoid distractions at a time when they must keep their eye firmly on the ball.
"New Zealand depart with the words of coach, and selector, Mark Greatbatch ringing in their ears, particularly the crunchy expression in a radio interview that 'we played like dicks, really' in Bangladesh en route to the 4-0 drubbing," Leggat wrote.
"The batsmen were in his sights at that time and while it might not endear him to some of his players, it was a frank assessment and not a million miles off the mark," he added.
New Zealand's tour of India includes three Tests and five ODIs.
