T20 World Cup 2026: Mitchell hopes New Zealand can ride wave of support as India’s ‘second favourite team’

New Zealand will embrace its status as Indian cricket fans’ ‘second-favourite team’ as it looks to navigate ​a tough Super Eight group and reach the semifinals of the Twenty20 ‌World Cup, all-rounder Daryl Mitchell said.

The 2021 finalist, which was ​knocked out in the group stage at the ⁠last edition, finds itself facing two must-win matches against former champion Sri Lanka and England after Saturday’s washout against Pakistan.

“We think of ourselves as India’s second ‌favourite team and the support that we get in the country is really cool,” Mitchell told Reuters.

“Hopefully, we ‌could turn the sea of blue that we’re used to ‌when ⁠we play against India into some black shirts as ⁠well.”

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New Zealand must first negotiate the turning tracks of Colombo when it faces Sri Lanka on Wednesday and England two days later, with Mitchell hopeful that his team’s experience ​can come into play.

“We ‌all grew up in New Zealand on fast, bouncy, grassy wickets,” he added.

“I guess the experience that our group has gained from playing in these parts of the world over a number ‌of years has helped in how we want to go ​about it.”

While New Zealand has one eye on its maiden World Cup trophy, Mitchell stressed the importance of ⁠staying focused.

“It’d be really nice to get over the line and win a trophy, but there’s a lot of cricket to be played ‌between now and then,” the 34-year-old said.

“So, for us, the strength is that we stay present in the moment. We don’t look too far ahead, and we don’t make it bigger than what it is.”

Mitchell, who has 1,856 T20I runs from 100 matches since his debut in 2019, has slotted into the role of ‌a finisher thanks mainly to the explosive form of openers Tim Seifert and ​Finn Allen.

“The ‘Bash Brothers’ up top have done a great job and long that continue throughout this tournament. We’ve recognised ⁠the balance of our side over here in India,” Mitchell said.

“The PowerPlay ⁠is very important, but the same goes for the middle (overs) with spin and the death as well. I have a ‌finisher’s role from the 10 overs onwards—trying to read and adapt to the situation of the game and try and ​help us win those moments at the back end of the innings.”

Published on Feb 23, 2026