New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has beseeched the cricket-mad Indian fans to root for his team in the World Cup final against four-time
winners Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
"To every cricket fan in India, I know you understand the hunger for a World Cup. And I have already seen a wave of support from you guys towards us. Thank you!" McCullum wrote in his autographed letter released as a statement.
"We need every bit of it and I request your support towards New Zealand all the way, through every ball, in the final," the hard-hitting batsman wrote.
"It's the biggest game of our career and over a billion voices rooting for us will definitely count," the 33-year-old batting superstar concluded.
New Zealand have never won the Cup since its inception in 1975 and would be playing in the summit contest for the first time.
Their trans-Tasman rival Australia have won the coveted crown in 1987, 1999, 2003 and 2007.
Maxwell best bet to finish MVP No 2
Chappell names Dhoni captain of his World Cup XI
We're not afraid of losing, says fearless McCullum
WAGs to sizzle at World Cup final
Vettori has given half his life to game, says McCullum