Could 'Bazball' be the answer for beleaguered Blackcaps in India?

After their struggles in Sri Lanka, the Blackcaps are faced with one of the most daunting challenges in cricket to try and recapture some momentum - a Test tour of India.

Adding to their woes is the mammoth void left by the great Kane Williamson, who will miss at least the first Test - and likely more - with a groin injury.

Throw into that mix a change of captaincy, with Tim Southee's withdrawal resulting in the reins being handed to Tom Latham, and the situation becomes that much more dicey for the tourists.

Discussing the upcoming three-Test tour on SENZ's Scotty & Izzy, Israel Dagg conceded the New Zealanders could be on a hiding to nothing.

"The hard just became impossible without Kane," Dagg said.

New Zealand have won just two Test matches in 23 attempts in India, with the last coming in 1988 - 36 years ago.

With India certain to take the task to the New Zealanders, Dagg questioned whether it could be time to fight with fire and take the attack to the hosts in a 'Bazball' manner?

"You want to see a real aggressive approach," Dagg noted.

"You've got to go over there and you've got to swing for the rafters.

"We can't go out there and play it safe, knowing that safe is probably not going to be enough when you're taking on India in their own backyard.

But do the Blackcaps have the firepower - or the mindset - to be able to switch to that extra gear?

Stevenson suggests the traditionally methodical approach of Latham and coach Gary Stead may put paid to such an idea.

Beyond that, the form of the Blackcaps batters may prove an even bigger roadblock.

"I don't think Tom Latham is that kind of captain," Stevenson noted. "I don't think he's that kind of leader.

"He's a very circumspect kind of fella. He's very conscientious, of course. Him and Gary Stead are quite similar figures - they're just quite low key guys, they think strategically.

"But I don't think you're going to see 'wiz bang' go out there because you just don't have the players in that kind of form at the moment. Devon Conway's trying to find his way back into run scoring. Daryl Mitchell, we know can be aggressive, but he can't be unless there's a platform launched for him already loaded up for him.

"You do have that batting talent there, but how they are used and when they push go - and if they're able to push go - is the big question."

Listen to the full 'Deep Dive' below:

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