The New Zealand middle-order's ability to mount a strong response when faced with the guile and variety in Pakistan's spin unit will be the deciding factor when the two sides face each other in the opening Super 8 Group 2 match of the T20 World Cup on Saturday.
Tim Seifert and Glenn Phillips starred as New Zealand recovered from a shaky start to overcome a challening target of 183 with considerable ease in their Group D opener in Chennai.
Shreyas Iyer is yet to feature in the T20I series, having been initially added to the squad for the first three matches as a replacement for Tilak Varma.
India vs New Zealand 4th T20I Highlights: All-round New Zealand beat India by 50 runs at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
India vs New Zealand 4th T20I Live Streaming: When And Where To Watch Live Telecast For Free
India vs New Zealand 3rd T20I Highlights: Abhishek Sharma completed a sensational 14-ball half-century as India against New Zealand in the third T20I in Guwahati on Sunday.
It is the second time Mitchell has held the No.1 ranking in ODI cricket, but his previous spell at the top only lasted three days last November before he was overtaken by Rohit.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said he expects Daryl Mitchell to carry his dominant ODI form into the shortest format when the Black Caps take on reigning world champions India in a five-match T20I series starting on Wednesday.
Daryl Mitchell says New Zealand's historic triumph was built on calm decision-making under pressure and collective belief, as the visitors sealed their first-ever bilateral ODI series victory on Indian soil.
India faced a shocking 41-run defeat against New Zealand in the third and final ODI of the three-match series on Sunday in Indore.