Southee wants New Zealand to 'regroup' for India challenge after Sri Lanka loss

New Zealand skipper Tim Southee called for a regroup and strategic rethink ahead of their India series, following a crushing Test series defeat to Sri Lanka, where spin bowling and dominant batting overwhelmed the BlackCaps.

In Short

• Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand by an innings and 154 runs
• Tim Southee urged New Zealand to regroup for the India series
• Spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and Nishan Peiris took 18 New Zealand wickets

New Zealand skipper Tim Southee emphasized the need for his team to regroup and replan their approach ahead of their upcoming Test series against India, following a crushing defeat to Sri Lanka on September 29. After suffering a comprehensive loss by an innings and 154 runs in Galle, Southee acknowledged that playing in India will pose similar challenges due to the subcontinent's spin-friendly pitch conditions. He stressed that New Zealand must rethink their strategy to better handle India’s conditions, which he expects to be similar to Sri Lanka's.

Sri Lanka delivered a commanding performance to claim the final Test of the two-match series. Their senior spinner, Prabath Jayasuriya, and debutant Nishan Peiris, dominated the game, combining to take 18 wickets between them. During the post-match presentation, Tim Southee highlighted New Zealand's shortcomings in their thrashing to Sri Lanka and how they will have to gear up in a better manner for the India series.

Galle Test, Day 4: Highlights

"Tough place to come. In this match, it was a lot harder. But in the first match, we had our moments and chances. Sri Lanka are playing some great cricket. We go home, regroup and then to India - same part of the world. Always find some positives... guys looking to put pressure on the bowlers," Southee said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan batters Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, and Kusal Mendis all scored centuries, allowing their side to completely control the match. This marked Sri Lanka’s first innings victory over New Zealand since 1998, further underlining their dominance throughout the series.

New Zealand's rough start to their extended subcontinent tour has raised concerns, especially as they head into their next challenge—a three-match Test series against India in October and November. The BlackCaps struggled to find answers against Sri Lanka’s spin duo, with Jayasuriya's left-arm spin and Peiris’s off-spin proving too much for the New Zealand batting lineup.

Southee knows that India’s spin attack could be just as threatening, if not more, and his side must adapt quickly if they are to compete in these conditions. With India’s pitches expected to offer significant turn, and with the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and even Kuldeep Yadav at their disposal, New Zealand's ability to adjust their batting and bowling strategies will be crucial to their chances of bouncing back in the series.