Ahead of India's three-match Test series against New Zealand, former wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel firmly believes that the Rohit Sharma-led side is capable of beating any team in the world in the longest format of the game.

Ever since New Zealand beat India in the final of the 2021 World Test Championship, India has reached another final in 2023 and is currently ranked top in the format. They are also doing well after a 2-0 series win over Bangladesh, especially after batting aggressively to register a remarkable win in the rain-affected Kanpur Test.

Parthiv Patel said, “I don't think the pitches will be like the ones we had against Bangladesh. It won't seem as much as Chennai and Kanpur, but looking at this team, I don't think India needs that kind of pitches or even turners. This Indian team is good enough to beat any team in the world at the moment.

"Keeping the WTC in mind, I am sure India will want to win 3-0, and that is a possible result. But India will have challenges, and their biggest challenge will be handling the left-arm spinners, Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel. India have always struggled against left-arm spinners, so this will be their biggest test," Parthiv told Geo Cinema.

Former wicketkeeper and selector Saba Karim feels India needs to focus on the job at hand rather than thinking about the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia later this year. "I think India's biggest challenge will be to focus on the present and not think too far ahead about the Australian tour. They need to build on the positives they saw in the recent home series, such as the emergence of exciting young fast bowlers. Akash Deep was a revelation, and India also has several spinners to choose from. The selectors and team management will have to figure out the best combination to play, but personally, I would love to see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the top."

India also has four traveling reserves in Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna for the Test matches against New Zealand, which drew Karim's curiosity. "I think this is the first time after Covid that we are seeing four traveling reserves, which means the Indian team management is already prepared for the Australian tour. The team looks well-equipped and balanced in terms of quality," he said, cautioning India against taking New Zealand, who lost 2-0 in Sri Lanka, lightly.

“However, New Zealand has always been a very competitive side. Though they suffered a heavy defeat in Sri Lanka and might feel disappointed, they have an inner strength that can come to the fore. Since they have played in India before and managed to draw a match last time, India will have to work hard.”