New Delhi, Feb. 3 -- New Zealand head into the T20 World Cup as a balanced side, steady rather than spectacular, but with enough flashes of brilliance to keep them firmly in the contenders' bracket.

The Black Caps have won 16 of their 31 T20Is since the last World Cup, drawing confidence from dominant series victories at home against Pakistan and West Indies, and an emphatic unbeaten run in the tri-nation series in Zimbabwe.

However, recent setbacks against Australia, England, and most notably India have exposed a few cracks, raising questions about consistency against top-tier opposition as the tournament draws closer.

Despite these concerns, New Zealand's core looks well-equipped for the challenges ahead, powered by a mix of experien...