‘Any time you play India in India you’re going to be the underdogs’: Ross Taylor

New Zealand batter Ross Taylor is gearing up for the upcoming two-match Test series against India, which is set to begin on Thursday (November 25). The veteran will be seen in action for the first time after the World Test Championship (WTC) Final in Southampton on June 23. The right-hand batter starred in the summit clash against India and scored the winning runs.

Over the past few years, the Blackcaps have dominated India in all three formats but playing in the sub-continent will still be a challenge. Taylor admitted that the new Test Championship cycle will be exciting as well as tough. “We can say we’re world champions now and that’s suddenly different, trying to retain it,” Taylor said. “It’s sort of a harder place to start. We started in Sri Lanka last time and we drew that series. It’s going to be a great two years I’m sure,” Taylor said to ESPN Cricinfo.

New Zealand will be touring India, Pakistan, and England, while playing at home against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and South Africa in the new Test cycle. During the 2019-21 cycle, New Zealand dominated at home but didn’t have much success away as they drew the series in Sri Lanka and lost 3-0 against Australia. Taylor feels beating India in India will be tough even when a few senior players are not part of the squad.

“We’ve gone so many years as underdogs. But now coming in as champions: I guess the element of surprise is gone. But any time you play India at home you’re going to be the underdogs, whether you’re No. 1 in the world or where they sit in international cricket at the time. They are resting a couple of players but they’re still a formidable side and know these conditions really well.

“The way we adapt to these conditions is going to be the key going forward. Some of the guys have played many a time here before. We’ll be looking forward to hopefully use that experience to make things slightly easier but we know it’s going to be tough.”