WATCH: Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill discuss plans ahead of ODI World Cup 2023 clash vs New Zealand

India has won all four of its World Cup 2023 matches, beating strong teams like Australia and Bangladesh, putting them second on the points table. Their biggest challenge comes this Sunday when they face the table-toppers, New Zealand, in Dharamsala.

New Zealand has been a tough opponent for India, not only in World Cups but in all major events. India hasn’t defeated New Zealand since the 2003 World Cup, suffering five consecutive losses.

With just two days between their last match against Bangladesh and the upcoming contest, the absence of Hardik Pandya makes things harder for India. Captain Rohit Sharma faced an unexpected question from Shubman Gill after their victory in Pune. The young opener asked about India’s poor record against New Zealand, a query that Rohit wasn’t prepared for.

‘See we don’t play the kind of cricket where we guarantee anything’ – Rohit Sharma 

Gill: Someone asked me in the press conference why we haven’t beaten New Zealand in a major tournament since 2003…

Rohit: That’s true. But we are playing good cricket and that’s all we can do from our end.

Gill: So, will we definitely end the streak on Sunday?

Rohit: See we don’t play the kind of cricket where we guarantee anything. When we reach the ground, we’ll have to do what we are doing as a team. We can’t think too far ahead. Yes, we’ve not had the result in the past but… (before being interrupted by Gill with another question)

Watch the full video here:

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill on next match against. #INDvsNZ#ViratKohli #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/i3eq3aIA2e

— Lucifer 45 (@1m_lucifer45) October 21, 2023

It’s been a long time since India beat New Zealand in an Apex Cricket Council event. The last time it happened, MS Dhoni hadn’t made his international debut, and Rohit and Virat Kohli were mere teenagers. The recent matches against New Zealand have ended in heartbreaking losses, like in the 2019 World Cup semifinal, where India’s campaign and MS Dhoni’s career came to an end with an 18-run loss.