India Has Been A Fantastic Side For A Long Period Of Time, They're Going To Be A Really Hard Opposition - Ross Taylor

Veteran New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor is wary of the challenge his side will face in the form of Virat Kohli’s Team India, when they face off in the WTC final from June 18 in Southampton.

Taylor speaks about how the Asian giants have been a dominant force over the last half a decade both home and away. India have conquered Australia in its own backyard twice now and gave a close fight to South Africa and England on their previous tours.

The 37-year-old also ponders the threat the Indian bowlers will carry while bowling with the Dukes ball in the marquee clash.

“You go through the Indian line-up, all world-class players all through and whatever side they do decide to go with, they will leave out some world-class players as well. We know whatever XI we face will be very tough,” Ross Taylor said during a virtual press conference.

“India has been a world no.1 side and they have kept the bar really high for a long period of time, everyone in the world had to catch up to and I don’t see any difference, yes we had a couple of Tests here but playing India in home, away or neutral venue will be a tough opposition.

“India has been a fantastic side for a long period of time, not only the batters but also the bowlers. They won against Australia during a home summer, it was great to watch.

“They had a lot of success over here as well. I am sure in their warm-up games and bowling at the nets, they would have enjoyed the swing and bounce that the duke ball has,” he added.

It is an ideal preparation to have two Tests against England in these conditions: Ross Taylor

Taylor, who is New Zealand’s all-time leading run-scorer, feels “very lucky” to have had “ideal preparation” in a couple of Tests against England, where the Kiwis won over the hosts 1-0, before going into the WTC final.

The Kiwis had Devon Conway, who made his Test debut, as their biggest gain of the series; all their pacers were amongst wickets, too, in the series where they handed England their first home series defeat in 7 years.

“It is an ideal preparation having two tests against England in these conditions, we are very lucky to manage to get these two matches and obviously the guys got some match preparation in these conditions, can’t think of anything better.

“Playing England in these conditions was a great Test, we learned a lot but as with everything in cricket, whatever you do first, you gotta do well and the team that puts the best foot forward will go a long away to sitting out in what hopefully is a great series.

“The whole New Zealand side is excited and it is going great occasion to be playing against India who has been world no 1 for 5-6 years. They are going to be really hard opposition to play against but at the same time we are looking forward to that,” Ross Taylor stated.

Also Read: IPL 2021: 5 Players Who Can Win The Player Of The Tournament Award This Season