'You have to always be mentally on song and on top of your game' - Martin Guptill on playing in Indian conditions

India have always been a tough touring spot for opposition teams regardless of the format. Speaking in terms of the longest one, it could arguably be considered the toughest mode for the opposition to win even a single game of a series. 

Former New Zealand batter, Martin Guptill, who is currently representing the Southern Super Stars in the ongoing edition of the Legends League Cricket, spoke on the challenges he encountered based on his playing days with the Kiwis whenever they used to tour India. 

“You feel like you can never score sometimes, that’s the hardest thing about coming here to India. The ball’s turning square, then the same sort of ball comes through and it skids on straight. You never know which one’s going to turn and which one’s going to go straight, so you have to always be thinking, you have to always be mentally on song and top of your game. To try and get on top of India is extremely difficult. But when you feel like you are, you have to try and take that as long as possible in the game,” stated Guptill, as quoted by News18.

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You’ve got to try and go as deep as possible in the game: Guptill

The former opener, who scored 346 runs in Tests in 14 innings in India also emphasized the gruelling environmental conditions as something which makes it tough to play cricket in India. However, he also emphasized what opposition teams could do to gain an upper hand in the context of the entire game.

“It’s a tough place to play. It’s hot, sweaty and you feel like everything’s against you. But as I said, if you can get try and get on top of them and you feel like you are getting on top of them, you’ve got to try and go as deep as possible in the game,” added Guptill.

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New Zealand will tour India from mid-October to early November to participate in a three-match Test series. As of now, they will be hoping to draw level by winning the second Test against Sri Lanka, scheduled to commence on September 26, 2024.