We will maintain our good World Cup record: Brendon McCullum

Despite suffering nine ODI defeats on the trot, Brendon McCullum tells DNA that when it comes to the big event, New Zealand will be an altogether different unit

Not the best of times for New Zealand cricket. How do you see this phase?
We have come up against the Indian team which is playing incredible cricket and are being very well led by (Gautam) Gambhir, who has also scored two hundreds of the highest quality. We have obviously struggled with a little bit of rhythm and confidence. But we still have two games in the series and we hope to do well in them.

Nine straight losses... How has the team reacted to it?
It’s not pleasant at all to hear this. But from our point of view, we cannot be looking back. All we can do is to try and win the next game of cricket. Our next opportunity is on Tuesday in Bangalore.

How would you rate your personal form in the one-dayers?
With just two balls that I played in Vadodara, it’s difficult to judge whether you are hitting well or not. I think I am playing well, just need to make sure that I stay there long enough to make a sizeable score.

The World Cup is less than three months away. Do you think that this team can transform itself?
We can achieve something special when it comes to the World Cup. This has been a tough tour for us in terms of one-day cricket and more often, what comes after such lows is a period of highs and that’s how we are hoping to turn the corners and perform at our absolute best come World Cup time.

Somehow, New Zealand seem to click during the World Cup. In fact, the Kiwis have featured in four World Cup semis.
Yes, that’s how we are viewing it as well. We are very proud of making  a number of semifinals in the World Cup. And now the challenge for us is to make finals and win those finals. And we seem to be able to find that groove when it comes to World Cups and we hope to get the same in 2011 too.

Are you hoping to be part of Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL4?
I would love to go back to Kolkata, but the thing is that you go back to the auction and you are really not sure where you are going to go. I have fond memories of Kolkata and also fond memories of Bangalore, and from my point of view I would just try and play good cricket. I hope to get picked up by one of the teams I desire and Kolkata is surely one of them. I am hoping to do well for whichever team I play and would love to qualify for the semis, which I have not been able to do so far in the IPL.