[1] New Zealand travelled to India after a three-match drawn Test series against Pakistan at home.

The Indian Express pointed out that one of the "several lessons" they learnt from the series was the lack of genuine spin bowlers.

In this regard, Vic Pollard and Graham Vivian were included in the squad to support left-arm spinner Bryan Yuile.

[2] On the positives, their fast bowlers were in good form, alongside batsmen Ross Morgan and John Reid.

Four players — Terry Jarvis, Vic Pollard, Bruce Taylor and Graham Vivian — made the squad for the time.