(MENAFN- Kora) The tourists were cleaned up 4-0 in the five-match one-day international series, losing their number one ranking in the 50-over format
Rankings have meant little so far on India's tour, but they are second in the longest format of the game and New Zealand eighth
But the hosts enter with plenty of confidence after the ODI series
New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has warned his team will continue to use the short-ball tactic which has worked wonders, but only if conditions allow
India got a decent warm-up against a New Zealand XI in a tour match, with their bowlers and batsmen getting plenty of work
Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma both made half centuries before retiring, while their top order may be a worry
Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara all made starts without going on to post at least 50
But Rohit denied it was an issue and said just getting out in the middle and making some runs was good preparation
"I won't say it is disappointing. They had a decent outing in the middle," he said
"They got a feel. It is always disappointing to not get runs. It is not an issue. I am sure it is a matter of one good innings and things will change quickly. That is what I feel and I am sure those guys also feel the same.
New Zealand have named an unchanged squad to the one which beat the West Indies 2-0 in December
Jesse Ryder travels as a back-up for star batsman Ross Taylor, whose second child is due during the series
Martin Guptill missed out with New Zealand opting to stick with current openers Hamish Rutherford and Peter Fulton
Along with his team's bowlers, Taylor shapes as being a key during the series, coming in after back-to-back centuries in the ODIs
India desperately need a response to their dreadful showing in the ODI series and need to show they are capable of playing away from home
Their last Test victory outside of India came in June 2011 against the West Indies and they need to end that run
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