One player in particular who could find himself in demand is Bevon Jacobs. After being given an opportunity in the side by Rachin Ravindra’s injury, the 24-year-old has more than taken it by scoring 128 runs at an average of 64, with a strike rate of more than 150.

Among those, he’s hit five sixes – the first of which travelled more than 90m from the first ball he faced in Christchurch.

But despite the temptation of what an IPL contract might bring, Jacobs said the team aren’t thinking of any possible riches that could come their way.

“Everyone’s aware that those things can happen,” he explained. “But I think the environment we’ve created in this group is really positive towards focusing on what we can control in the now, and being where our feet are.

“Those things come with cricket, and with performances in general – especially on the international stage. But we just try to control what we can, and focus on the game at hand.”

Jacobs is no stranger to the IPL. At the end of 2024, he was a shock signing by Mumbai, who signed him for $61,000 before he’d even made his international debut.

And even if he didn’t play a game, that saw Jacobs share a dressing room with the likes of Indian superstars Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, as well as Kiwi compatriots Mitchell Santner and Trent Boult.

Since then, opportunities in the Pakistan Super League and Caribbean Premier League have followed, along with an upcoming chance with the Brisbane Heat in Australia’s Big Bash League.

“Being able to explore those opportunities is really cool and definitely adds different strengths to your game,” he continued.

“But for me, it’s just about contributing to the team and contributing to the task at hand.

“It’s a bit unfortunate that we’ve not got across the line with a win, but my confidence is building. I like spending time with this group. It’s a great bunch of lads and they all get around you.”

Regardless of the chance at catching a franchise’s attention, though, the Black Caps are still playing for pride over the next two games.

While the two games in Christchurch were last-over defeats, the loss in Wellington was one of the most emphatic in Black Caps history, as India chased down 199 with 40 balls to spare.

And with a full house for Friday’s fourth match at Eden Park – the first cricket sellout since the Black Caps’ semi-final victory over South Africa at the 2015 World Cup – the team aren’t going to go down without a fight.

“Obviously, not ideal being 3-nil down and we’re obviously aware of that, but I think the vibe is pretty positive. The first two games were really competitive and there’s been a lot of good cricket played … We’re going to take every game for what it is. We obviously know what the state of the series is like, but that doesn’t mean stepping off the gas or anything like that.

“We’re going to reflect on everything we’ve done in the first three fixtures and go out there and give it our all for the last two.”

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.