Early wickets key for New Zealand and Boult as they strike early against India

• Trent Boult took three wickets in the first 10 overs as New Zealand won by six wickets
• Boult has taken more wickets in world cricket than any other player in the last four years

Early scalps are Trent Boult's stock in trade and he revealed New Zealand's first powerplay priority is to take wickets.

Three overs into his spell in the Black Caps warm-up match against India and Boult's figures read 3-10, with Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul accounted for.

The 29-year-old, who has taken more wickets than any other bowler in world cricket in the first ten overs since 2015, says his side will continue to go all out to make inroads at the top.

"I think the game plan is we know what early wickets do to the batting side," he said.

"We want to be as aggressive as we can to try and get into any batting order.

"We know if we get two or three at the top, it puts pressure on any opposition. As bowlers, that's our basic plan.

"For me, it's about pitching the ball up and trying to swing the ball as much as I can.

"We'll take a bit of confidence from beating India - the crowd was awesome and it was a lot of fun."

The Black Caps have reached seven World Cup semi-finals in the past and Kane Williamson's side are shaping up well for another tilt at the final four.

Among a clutch of positives from their six-wicket win over India were three wickets for all-rounder Jimmy Neesham and half-centuries for both Williamson and Ross Taylor.

2015 was a defining year for New Zealand cricket as the joint hosts reached the final for the first time, losing to Australia in Melbourne at the last.

Boult was a key part of the side who inspired the nation four years ago and he says the 50-over format is still dear to their heart.

"The World Cup was an amazing experience - to play in our home country and see what it did for cricket in New Zealand," he said.

"To fall over in the final was pretty hard to swallow. We learnt a lot from the occasion and playing in front of 97,000 people.

"The last five years since then have breezed by and we've got an experienced side looking forward to the tournament.

"The one-day format is one we enjoy; we have a good method with bat and ball which we're confident in as a group."