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Bolstered by their back-to-back Twenty20 wins, New Zealand will take an extra dose of confidence into the start of their ODI series against India in Napier tomorrow.
But that's not to say they'll begin the five-match rubber as favourites, according to their coach Andy Moles.
He reckons there's "still no denying" India will be fancied to prevail over the series but equally acknowledged the huge plus out of the wins at Christchurch and Wellington last week.
"We must respect them but we mustn't be scared of them," Moles said yesterday.
"The two results have given the guys the confidence that they can compete.
"From an individual point of view, some of the younger players have found there's nothing to be scared of and are looking forward to the next challenge."
One point Moles will drill in ahead of the opening ODI at McLean Park will be the importance of staying positive.
He felt that during Friday night's last-ball thriller in Wellington - won by five wickets - the New Zealand batsmen were too respectful to the Indian bowling as they chased 150 to win the series.
There is a fine line between giving too much respect and still retaining an attacking outlook.
Opener Brendon McCullum had given Moles considerable satisfaction in his past three Twenty20 innings, against Australia and the two Indian games.
In those games, McCullum hit 61 off 47 balls, 56 not out off 49 and 69 not out off 55 - 186 runs off 151 balls and was only out once.
In the first he was set to carry New Zealand to victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground until falling to a spectacular catch at long on; and he did see the job through both times last week against the Indians.
"He's been criticised for not being in much form of late but those games showed he can play all sorts of innings," Moles said.
"He is maturing as a player, is playing for the situation and when he's playing well at the top of the order with Jesse [Ryder], then Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor, we're certainly starting to get a pretty formidable top four," he said.
The New Zealand 12 for the first three matches is a solid, well-balanced outfit, in which they have covered all middle order bases with Grant Elliott, Neil Broom and Jacob Oram providing a mix of options.
Moles believes experience brings the knowledge of how to switch players in the order to take advantage of whatever the situation presents.
For example, the big-hitting of Oram or the explosive shotmaking of Broom would be better suited coming in at No 5 with the score 260 for three and eight overs left.
Elliott would be the first choice at 20 for three in the fifth over. All three have different batting qualities.
Kyle Mills' return to fitness means he will lead the new ball line and India's abilities against spin bowling mean there is only room for one slow bowler, captain Dan Vettori.
India have an injury worry ahead of tomorrow's match with tall young speedster Ishant Sharma in doubt with a shoulder injury.
He took a bump on the shoulder when he fell on the ball during the Wellington game, aggravating an old injury. He had a scan on Saturday.
"We will watch him over the next day. But it is likely that Ishant may miss the first ODI," India's administrative manager Niranjan Shah said.
* NZ ODI squad
New Zealand ODI squad for first three matches against India at Napier tomorrow, Wellington on Friday and Christchurch on Sunday:
Dan Vettori (c), Jesse Ryder, Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Neil Broom, Jacob Oram, Kyle Mills, Ian Butler, Tim Southee, Iain O'Brien.
