IND vs NZ LIVE: Kane Williamson lauds Hardik Pandya, says Indian all-rounder is SUPERSTAR of cricket and most sought-after MATCH winner

Kane Williamson Press Conference: IND vs NZ LIVE – NewZealand captain Kane Williamson addressed the media on Tuesday in the build-up to the India vs NewZealand series. Kiwi skipper lauded the Indian counterpart for the T20 series, Hardik Pandya. He claimed that Hardik is a superstar of the game. And further added that the Indian all-rounder is one of the most sought-after match winners. The Blackcaps will face the Men in Blue in a limited-overs series as both teams build toward the upcoming two World Cups. Williamson is set to lead his side, having featured in New Zealand’s T20 WC semifinal exit in Australia. Watch IND vs NZ LIVE Streaming on Prime Video & Follow India tour of NZ LIVE updates on Insidesport.IN

Also Read: IND vs NZ T20 Series: India’s T20 REBOOT begins, 5 BIG Decisions VVS Laxman & Hardik Pandya will need to take in NewZealand, Check OUT

IND vs NZ LIVE: Kane Williamson lauds Hardik Pandya, says Indian all-rounder is SUPERSTAR of cricket and most sought-after MATCH winner – Follow INDIA vs NewZealand LIVE Updates

“Hardik Pandya is obviously a superstar of the game. One of the most sought-after match-winners. I have never played with Hardik in terms of leadership so I don’t know much about it,” Kane Williamson said.

Young Indian pacer Umran Malik also received high praise from Williamson, who described him as a super exciting talent. Umran played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL under the tutelage of Williamson, who supported the Jammu and Kashmir pacer due to his raw pace.

“Umran is a super exciting talent. Spending time with him last year at the IPL and see his raw pace was a real asset to the team. To see him in the international scene now has been an amazing rise for him. And I think when you’ve got that ability to bowl 150 mark as a fast bowler, it’s very exciting,” Williamson said.

Umran is one of those rarest Indian bowlers who can clock the 150kmph mark at regular intervals.

“I think by being in the squad, clearly there is high hopes that he will have an involvement with Indian cricket for a long time. Coming on on these tours where they’ve got the opportunity to play more and more, will certainly only help him on his journey. But Yeah, Fantastic talent,” he added.

The New Zealand skipper also gave a sneak into the squads selected, and the roadmap for the Kiwis in the coming years. The Blackcaps have made the knockouts for almost every World event for the past decade, with success only in the World test Championship in 2021.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand’s transition into a new era commenced with a pair of veterans left out of their squad for this month’s white-ball series at home against India.

The Black Caps will take on the powerful India line-up in a total of six white-ball contests (three T20Is and three ODIs) starting on Friday and the Kiwis announced a pair of 13-player squads for the matches on Tuesday.

Skipper Kane Williamson will once lead New Zealand during the series, but there is no room for veteran opener Martin Guptill and left-arm quick Trent Boult.

IND vs NZ LIVE: Kane Williamson lauds Hardik Pandya, says Indian all-rounder is SUPERSTAR of cricket and most sought-after MATCH winner – Follow INDIA vs NewZealand LIVE Updates

IND vs NZ LIVE: India tour of NewZealand

Trent Boult is out of the T20 and ODI series, joining up with the BBL side Melbourne Stars
Kane Williamson will lead Kiwis both in T20 or the ODI series

The Kiwis have opted to use the promising Finn Allen ahead of Guptill at the top of the order in recent times and the 23-year-old right-hander is once again preferred for the India series.

Boult, meanwhile, will also be on the sidelines after he made the decision earlier this year to turn his back on his contract with New Zealand Cricket in order to spend more time with his family and concentrate on opportunities in domestic leagues around the world.

NewZealand will play three ODIs and three T20Is against India with the series kicking off on November 18. Hardik Pandya will lead the Indian side in the T20s, while Shikhar Dhawan will lead the ODI squad in the three-match series.