India arrive in New Zealand focussed on task

India have arrived in New Zealand, with Mahendra Singh Dhoni adamant that the lures of lucrative Twenty20 tournaments have not sidetracked or preoccupied his side. India have not won a Test in New Zealand since 1976 and Dhoni, on his first tour to the country, said the international game was top priority.

"Playing cricket for your country is most important for us. I'm playing for my country so it's not about money," Dhoni said on arrival in Christchurch. "With Indian cricket I know that if I'm playing for my country and doing well than I will get money that will be more than enough for me and my family so I don't think it is a distraction.

"Whatever fame or whatever status we have now is all because of that. It's about going onto the field and giving 100%, day in, day out for India. The money flows in but one thing for sure is that if you're not playing good cricket then you won't get the money."

This is India's first tour to New Zealand in six years. Coming off consecutive Test series wins over Australia and England and a 4-1 one-day success over Sri Lanka, Dhoni felt he had a productive unit. "I'm proud to say that this Indian team is not relying on any individual," he said. "Everybody is contributing and everyone has a definite role to play in the side and that's what they are doing.

"If we fail to get a good start from the openers someone in the middle order stands up. If the batsmen don't score too many runs then it's the bowlers who stand up and take the opportunity to prove themselves and that's why we are winning more games."

Dhoni felt the core of this side would hold firm after the retirements of the veterans. "There are people who can fill the gaps who won't really be a Sachin Tendulkar or a Rahul Dravid, but they accept they have been given a chance," he said. "Whoever comes in needs to be himself and play the kind of cricket he loves to play."

India begin their tour on February 25 with the first of two Twenty20 internationals. They also play five ODIs and three Tests.