Christchurch, Feb. 20: India’s recent success against top sides like Australia notwithstanding, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Friday said his team will not start favourites against New Zealand although they are better-prepared to handle the seaming conditions they may face during the tour. "It’s not about who is considered favourite. You start from scratch when you go out to the middle. Whatever we have been doing in the past one year we have to do again. It doesn’t really change," Dhoni said after the team’s arrival.

Dhoni said his team will have to adapt quickly as they prepare to take on a team that are dangerous as a unit. India have not won a Test series in New Zealand for the past 41 years. "For me the New Zealand team is more about what they are as a unit, not individuals. That’s their asset. It will be a good tour if the weather doesn’t spoil it," said Dhoni.

The Indians were welcomed by rain after their 27-hour, bone-weary travel from Mumbai to Christchurch. Dhoni said the ODI series triumph against Sri Lanka will stand the Indians in good stead. "It really helps to have tough, competitive cricket under the belt before a big series. It’s not always just about winning or losing. We put a lot of emphasis on the effort we give on the field and believe a lot in the process," he said.

— PTI