India kick off their NZ series with a T20 match today. Sanjib Guha finds out why the two T20 fixtures are more important for Irfan Pathan, Rohit Sharma and Harbhajan Singh than their colleagues 

Lack of practice games during the New Zealand tour has meant that the first T20 match, that will be played today at Christchurch, has become extremely important for India as it would help the visitors acclimatise to the conditions. The match is also crucial for Harbhajan Singh, Rohit Sharma and Irfan Pathan who would be desperate to use this opportunity to seal their berths in the one-day side. 

Christchurch (New Zealand), Feb. 25: New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori has said that India are notorious for not touring his country, and therefore, this could be an advantage for his side in the upcoming series.

"This will be a huge challenge," stuff. co. nz quoted Vettori, as saying.

Vettori is at least in a position to fight fire with fire at the top of the order with Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum reunited.

Christchurch (New Zealand), Feb. 25: Nathan McCullum will join younger brother Brendon on the field for the first time in New Zealand colours at home when the Black Caps meet India in tonight''s Twenty20 cricket international in Christchurch.

The Otago pair have played together at international level twice at the 2007 World Twenty20 Cup in South Africa and this month against Australia.

No spectators will be watching the match more intently than their Christchurch-based parents, Stu and Jan McCullum.

Wellington (New Zealand), Feb 25: New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan and New Zealand players boss Heath Mills have both welcomed the decision to postpone the Black Caps'' controversial tour of Zimbabwe, saying it will allow some "breathing space" to sort out the difficult situation in the African nation.

Amidst growing pressure from the New Zealand government, the New Zealand and Zimbabwe cricket associations confirmed this morning that the July tour would be postponed for a year until 2010.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key had voiced his concerns over the political unrest and deteriorating financial, health and social problems in Zimbabwe and even hinted that the Black Caps might be prevented from travelling there.

Johannesburg, Feb. 25: Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke knows that he is racing against the clock to prove his fitness for the first Test against South Africa.

The Age quoted Clarke as saying last night that he needed to power through Australia''s final two training sessions to be seen as a guaranteed starter at the Wanderers Ground tomorrow.

He was Australia''s leading batsman against South Africa in the recent 2-1 series defeat and losing him would be a savage blow to the tourists.

Christchurch (New Zealand), Feb. 25: The New Zealand cricket team stands to gain 25 million New Zealand dollars if it come off with a win against India in the cricket series which starts with a Twenty20 international at AMI Stadium tonight.

Apart from the two Twenty20 matches, both sides will compete in five one-day matches and three Tests, reports stuff. co. nz.

The money will mainly come from television revenue.

With the Future Tours Programme (FTP) schedule ending in 2012 and up for renegotiation it underlines the need for a creditable display.

India is well documented as the game''s powerhouse financially and of late its playing standards have lifted to match.