Nash, 27, is affable off the field but fiercely determined on it and, on occasions, he has let his competitive instincts take over.

But he says he will have to rein that in as captain, and must take an overview of things happening in the game.

``I do get right into things and I'll have to pull back a bit, but that happens pretty naturally.''

Nash was elevated to the captaincy after Stephen Fleming suffered a groin injury during the first one-day match at Taupo on Saturday.

Nash is not new to the role. He has captained the Northern Conference team for the last two seasons and has shown an aptitude in the role which has impressed the New Zealand selectors.

Both Nash and Craig McMillan have been groomed as possible replacements should something happen to Fleming.

Nash assumes the reins at an opportune time, being in form with the bat and having claimed several crucial Indian wickets with the ball during the two-test series.

``I'm thrilled to be doing it and it's a real honour. But I see it as just a caretaker role because Flem is confident of being back pretty soon. I just want to keep the ship going on the successful course that he has been steering.''

Fleming will be out of action for a month if a scan in Christchurch tomorrow confirms he has a deep seated tear in his groin.

Fleming will have an ultra-sound scan before consulting a surgeon on how best to overcome the problem.

The injury means a reshuffle in the Black Caps batting order with Fleming's replacement, Bryan Young, to take his usual opening role in partnership with Matt Horne.

McMillan is well suited to stay at No. 3, where he batted in Fleming's absence at Taupo.

Taupo opener Roger Twose may be better suited at No. 4 or No. 5, depending on the situation. He has the ability to read an innings and pace his game.

A change is also likely to the New Zealand bowling line-up with Canterbury's Geoff Allott, after waiting patiently on the sideline for almost a month, in line to give swing bowler Simon Doull a rest.

The New Zealand selectors are keen on rotating the quicker bowlers around to manage the workload.

India will hope that one of its leading bowlers, Anil Kumble, has recovered from the neck strain which sidelined him from the first one-dayer.

Without him the Indian attack is ordinary.

New Zealand will be aware that after a duck by Indian batting master Sachin Tendulkar at Taupo, he is due to be in the runs again.

Tendulkar has an affinity with McLean Park, having blasted 157 there at the start of the tour.

As a 16-year old in 1989-90, he made 88 in Napier in a test match.

Meanwhile, Nash's first day in full charge of the New Zealand cricket team was a memorable one for the wrong reasons yesterday. Nash was involved in two nasty incidents at training.

While batting, Nash struck team-mate Chris Harris in the back and minutes later a passer-by was fortunate to escape serious injury when felled by a 50m lofted drive.

The middle-aged Asian woman was walking across Nelson Park, 50m away from where New Zealand was training in the nets, when Nash's shot hit her on the head. She slumped to the ground and was quickly attended to by New Zealand team physiotherapist Mark Harrison and players Simon Doull and Bryan Young.

The woman regained her feet after 15min, and left sporting a sizeable lump on her head.