New Zealand arrive at the T20 World Cup without much fanfare and hype. But like always, they will be a tough nut to crack when the tournament begins, writes Shashwat Kumar.

Cast your mind back a year. New Zealand were not given much of a chance when pitted in the same group as India and Pakistan. The T20 World Cup was also taking place in the UAE – conditions that are not what the Kiwis usually enjoy. Yet, they found a way to emerge from that group, defeating India and running Pakistan close. In the semi-final against England, the latter was comfortably the more fancied outfit. But again, New Zealand got the job done, with the unheralded Daryl Mitchell proving the hero.

They were undone by arch-rivals Australia in the final. Their campaign, though, was largely a success, considering the odds they had overcome. This is not an isolated incident either. At the 2019 50-over World Cup, New Zealand came within a whisker of the title. They also played the final of the 2015 edition, reached the semi-final of the 2016 T20 World Cup, and won the inaugural World Test Championship final against India in 2021.

The Black Caps have developed a habit of putting their best foot forward in ICC events. This time, though, things seem a little different. They have only lost three T20Is in 2022 but all their bilateral series have been against teams forced to play the first roung of the T20 World Cup. The tri-series that preceded the T20 World Cup saw the Kiwis lose the summit clash to Pakistan.

Additionally, the presence of Afghanistan, Australia, England and Sri Lanka in their group, means that the Black Caps run a real risk of not making the semi-finals – something that has not happened since the 2014 T20 World Cup. Kane Williamson, often their batting lynchpin, has not been in great form, and there is a feeling that this T20 World Cup could be a bridge too far for their experienced but ageing bowling unit. Oh, and their overall record in Australia is not very encouraging either.

That said, the Kiwis seem to play their best cricket when they fly under the radar with nothing to lose. And that is exactly the situation they find themselves in at this T20 World Cup.

Last time out, Daryl Mitchell’s ascension to the top of the order was a revelation. He might miss a few games because of injury but in Devon Conway (who batted in the middle order in 2021) and Finn Allen, they have two excellent, contrasting openers. Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner might not leap out as all-round options. Each, though, has proven in the past that they can do a job and make things for those around them easier.

Williamson, despite not being in a rich vein of form, has the happy knack of scoring big when his team needs it most. He did it at the T20 World Cup final in 2021, and his last competitive innings is a fifty against Pakistan. The same can be said about their pedigreed pace-bowling unit, who have not played as much T20I cricket together in the recent past as some of the other teams, although they remain as shrewd as anyone in the world.

So, this is, in many ways, the classic New Zealand build-up to a multi-nation tournament. They have not been touted for much success. Their record in Australia is pretty ordinary, and they have landed in the tougher Super 12 group. Their star players have also not been very prolific.

But remember, this is New Zealand we are talking about – a team that almost specialises in proving people wrong and defying expectations. And if they find a way this time too, it will only mean that normal service has resumed, and reaffirm that the Kiwis have indeed mastered this unique and inimitable pattern.