Virat and Rohit have enjoyed batting in NZ, Santner hopes that changes this time

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner is well aware of the threat Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma pose ahead of India's white-ball tour later this year and hopes the two experienced batters do not enjoy the same success they have had in New Zealand in the past.

Kohli and Rohit will return to action when India tour New Zealand for five ODIs and five T20Is in October and November. The teams will also play two Tests during the tour.

"It is going to be a challenge. They are still very good players as we have seen for a long time; masters of the ODI game. They have taken a liking to some New Zealand pitches in the past. Hopefully, not this time around," Santner was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

The five-match ODI series will be an important part of both teams' preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. New Zealand will also play three ODIs against Sri Lanka at home before travelling to England for their final World Cup preparations next September.

Santner said beating India at home would be a major target for New Zealand. "We've got five against India, three against Sri Lanka at home, and then it is World Cup prep in England in September 2027, right before the World Cup," he said.

"But first things first, you want to win a series against India at home, which would be an awesome thing. Then it is trying to find out what the make-up might look like come October next year."

The two-Test series will give New Zealand another opportunity to test India's revamped red-ball side.

The last Test meeting between the two teams ended in a historic 3-0 series win for New Zealand in India. It brought an end to India's unbeaten home run that had lasted more than 12 years and 18 series.

Santner played a key role in that victory, taking 7/53 and 6/104 in the second Test in Pune.

With India now going through a transition in Test cricket, Santner expects the conditions in New Zealand to present another challenge to some of the newer members of the squad.

"I think what we spoke about before is trying to adapt quickly," he said.

"For a new-look India side, it is probably going to be the first time some players have been playing red-ball cricket in New Zealand, where the pitches will be a little bit foreign. They will probably do a bit more than they might do back home."

Santner, however, believes India have enough quality in their bowling attack to compete in New Zealand.

"If you look at their squad, it is a very well-rounded squad. You throw Jasprit Bumrah back into the bowling attack, you have got Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna with the bounce. You have got Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar to bowl spin. You have got probably a fourth seamer in there as well."

"It is shaping up nicely. I think it is going to be a great series. Traditionally, it can do a little bit in New Zealand at that time of the year," he said.

Santner expects the conditions to force India's batters to adjust their approach, particularly against the new ball.

"It could be trying to fight fire with fire, playing your shots. There might be times we need to sit back and let the bowlers go for a bit, try to get the shine off the ball. There is a lot that can go on in the Test matches in New Zealand."

Despite the two-Test series being shorter than the white-ball assignments, Santner said playing India remains a major attraction for New Zealand.

"Whenever India come, even if it is only two Test matches, it is going to be exciting. Everyone wants to challenge themselves against the best in the world and they are up there."

New Zealand will travel to Australia for four Tests after the India series, making the upcoming red-ball schedule an important period for Santner's side.

"First things first is ten pretty big white-ball games against India; two very good sides in ODIs and T20Is. We have to shift pretty quickly to two Test matches," Santner said.