Play-as-a-unit believers NZ set to rock

New Zealand’s Devon Conway (left) and Rachin Ravindra after their win over England in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Pic/Getty Images

People tend to forget that there are more sheep in New Zealand than horses, dogs and humans put together. Sheep are gentle, quiet, and innocent but determined animals with a strong flocking instinct and sense of community. History tells us that the Black Caps are very similar. They go about their work quietly, play as a unit and always punch well above their weight.

New Zealand's efforts with the ball and in the field were like a game of poker at Ahmedabad. They didn't particularly have a very strong hand, but they kept a straight face, and England never called their bluff. Credit must be given to stand-in skipper Tom Latham who used his resources optimally and constantly made clever bowling changes.

When I was in university, I had friends who lived in hope that the examination question paper would somehow be leaked a day before the actual exam. Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra seemed to have got their hands on the question paper set by England as they had all the answers.

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My first memory of Rachin was umpiring a school game in Wellington in 2011. Rachin was about 11 years old then, but the talent was clearly visible. Every batsman needs one special innings that kick starts their international career and if Rachin continues the way he started in Ahmedabad, then Indian fans might replace their favourite ‘Sachin, Sachin' chant for this world cup with a ‘Rachin, Rachin' chant.

On this trip, I have travelled to six cities in India and the only common element has been the presence of a masala dosa at every breakfast. It is always reliable and performs consistently at every venue. A bit like Devon Conway who, regardless of the pitch, conditions or the color of the ball, always seems to find a way to score runs. Conway and Rachin's Wellington teammate Logan Van Beek is playing for the Netherlands, but apart from that, as long as they don't let their guard down, this contest should be as easy as dipping a Hyderabadi Chand biscuit from Karachi Bakery into a steaming hot cup of chai for the Black Caps.

Rahul Patil is Wellington-based Indian-born cricket writer, who is following NZ's fortunes at this World Cup