New Zealand hope to overcome Indian ace Leander Paes and the weather when they clash with the hosts in the Asia-Oceania Group I second-round tie here on Friday.

"Paes could be the key to the rubber," non-playing New Zealand captain Glenn Wilson said Thursday after the draws, which pitted Paes against Mark Nielsen in the opening singles on the grass courts here.

New Zealander Alistair Hunt will clash with top Indian player Rohan Bopanna in the second singles.

"We are good on grass and hope to catch Paes early on because he has not played any singles match for seven weeks. He might be difficult to catch once he gets going," said Wilson.