India is starting a new chapter in the World Test Championship with a two-match home series against New Zealand. While Kane Williamson's side holds the honor of being the first WTC champions, former Kiwi skipper Dion Nash emphasizes that taking on India in their own backyard remains the most daunting task in the sport.
Nash highlighted how one-sided the advantage is for the home side in India, though he admitted that New Zealand can also be a tricky venue early in the season. He noted that over the last few years, the Indian team under Virat Kohli has been almost impossible to beat at home, with elite teams like South Africa, England, Australia, and New Zealand suffering heavy defeats on spin-friendly tracks.
According to Nash, securing a victory in India has become an almost unreachable goal. He explained that the environment is incredibly foreign for Western nations, and the challenging conditions haven't changed much over time. Additionally, Nash thinks that by letting go of the T20 captaincy, Kohli might unlock a higher level of batting in all formats, arguing that the burden of leadership is often overrated and can stifle a player's potential.
The former all-rounder argued that given the grueling modern cricket schedule, it is logical for a player to avoid captaining in every single format. He expects the Indian team management to adapt quickly to Kohli's updated role. With Kohli set to return for the second Test, the opening five-day match against New Zealand begins today at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium.