Ahmedabad, Nov 1:New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori on Monday said that his team were excited and did not feel any pressure in the lead up to their three-match Test series against India. The maverick bowler further added that he was expecting Brendon McCullum to do a Virender Sehwag for his team and set the tone of the match.

In a media briefing, Vettori spoke about his team’s bowling plans against the celebrated Indian batting line-up and his personal goals.

Excerpts from an interview.

On playing against India in India

It’s the toughest challenge in world cricket, playing the No. 1 team in their own conditions with the experience and success that they have within the line-up. They know what they are doing. We are sort of at the opposite end of the spectrum – a newish line-up with a couple of experienced guys, trying to find their feet in international cricket. But therein lies the opportunity. I don’t think I have seen the team so excited about a Test series coming over here. Everyone’s looking forward to it, and that’s half the battle because sometimes, you beat yourself before you step out here looking at the names in the Indian team. So we are trying to remove that. [Once you] turn up here, hopefully the guys can execute their jobs. That’s what we are here to do.

They are the No. 1 team in the world. In their own conditions with the line-up that India have [it] is incredibly tough [to beat them]. But there are no real expectations on us. So that brings an [element of] excitement, a chance for a number of guys – a couple of guys will probably make their debuts – to stamp their mark in world cricket. Everyone knows if you succeed in India, people stand up and take notice.

On the challenge that lies ahead of the team

I think India have got to [the] No. 1 [position] for a reason. They have kept their standards pretty high, so they will be looking to win comprehensively. It is up to us to maintain our standards and to go in excess of them because that’s the only way we can compete with India. That’s the goal for us; like I said before, there is no bigger challenge. To win is a big challenge; it’s quite exciting for us.

On the Sardar Patel Stadium - the venue for the first Test

I think the experience factor is very important. Knowing the conditions and knowing what to expect every time [is key]. Although the ground here is so beautiful, the [New ealand] guys might feel at home, the outfield is so beautiful. The guys are looking forward to it, they are really excited about playing in this Test match. The wicket looks good.

I have played two Test matches here and the ground seems to have improved. I don’t think the guys expected it to be as beautiful as it is.

On the aftermath of the 4-0 loss against Bangladesh

There was a lot of soul-searching even after the first loss. You try and address and rectify every problem that you go through but we just kept digging a hole for ourselves. In some ways, hopefully it’s as low as we could have gone and hopefully everything from now [will be good]. We can identify and improve on those problems and hopefully be on an upward curve because there is a World Cup in a few months’ time. Whilst we are here in a Test match series, we are still a good one-day unit. We were No. 2 in the world what, three months ago. We understand what we need to do to get back but still understanding and doing are two different things. Doing is the difficult bit.

It was hard [to go through poor form] but the criticism you have within your own thoughts is worse than anything anyone could say. What I have put myself through and what all the rest of the team has put itself through couldn’t compare with what anyone else could say. We expected it and it was all fair. When you lose 4-0, no matter to whom, you should expect a lot of criticism and hopefully it can be a catalyst for us in improving in all facets of our game.

On Brendon McCullum doing a Virender Sehwag for New Zealand

We are still sort of debating that. We are still looking at using him as an opener, so I think he can set the tone opening or at No. 3 - it doesn’t matter - much like [Virender] Sehwag does for India. He really sets the tone for the team and takes a lot of pressure off the rest of the batsmen. I think Brendon [McCullum] can do that role, whether it is opening or at No. 3.

On the bowling plans

That’s the biggest challenge when you come to India – it’s taking 20 wickets. Getting their top-order and middle-order twice is the greatest challenge. I suppose the responsibility primarily lies with me as the most experienced bowler over here, but I know, looking at the statistics, that seam bowlers can do a pretty good job particularly if you can get the ball reversing. So we are going to place a lot of onus on them bowling well and not just saying it’s up to the spinners to do the job.

On Indian batsmen

I think the thing against these players is delivering time and time again. There can be no let-up from us. They are so patient and so skilled that if you have one bad session, that could be the Test match gone. So the challenge for us is not only competing for one or two days or being aggressive for one or two days - it’s for five days.

On his personal goals

I suppose with how my game has developed over the last few years, I have worked on my skills, 4000 runs and 400 wickets is what I really aspire to achieve and that’s not too far away. That’s more on my mind that 431. But if I do get there, I would still see Sir Richard Hadlee as our greatest bowler ever. His record is amazing. Mine will be a career of longevity while his was a career of absolute skill and [he is] one of the greatest bowlers of all time.

On his batting skills

I am batting at seven in the Test series. I like the responsibility, I like to contribute with the bat and I would like to contribute with the ball as well. It keeps me in the game as much as possible. It’s a big responsibility and that’s something every cricketer must want.

I think at times I have been a successful Test bowler but that is a part of my game I want to improve. Test match bowling is something that I want to get better at. There are a number of goals that I want to achieve and that is primary among them. There’s always all sorts of reasons but I am not looking for excuses, I just want to get better.