Ross Taylor, a New Zealand middle-order batsman, termed India as one of the toughest destinations to tour. He opined that India is a great place to play cricket, but it can be challenging for the touring sides.
The Black Caps are scheduled to tour India a few days after the ongoing T20I World Cup concludes at UAE. They will play two Test matches and three T20Is in the sub-continent.
Ross Taylor: Playing Spin And Reverse Swing Ball Is Toughest To Handle In India
“It’s a great place to play cricket but definitely one of the toughest. Obviously playing spin and then the reverse swing ball. I think trusting your defense early on against spin when there’s so many people around the bat (is important),” Ross Taylor stated.
Ross Taylor added that winning the toss plays a big part in the outcome of the game when you are playing Test matches in India.
“I’ve been there a few times and it’s probably a given but winning the toss plays a big part in it so no pressure on Kane (Williamson) to get the call right in those first few Tests.”
Ross Taylor is part of the 15-man squad announced by New Zealand for the tour to India. This will be the first meeting between the two teams in the game’s longest format since the WTC final in June. The last time New Zealand toured India, they were beaten 3-0 in 2016.
New Zealand left-arm pacer Trent Boult has made himself unavailable for the upcoming two-match Test series against India. The reason behind Trent Boult’s and pace allrounder Colin de Grandhomme’s unavailability for the Tests against India has been due to the prospect of further time in bio-secure bubbles and managed isolation.
Ross Taylor Opens Up On Facing Ravichandran Ashwin And Ravindra Jadeja
Ross Taylor reckons Ravichandra Ashwin could be a handful on the Indian tracks. However, he pointed out that the key will be to pick his variations right from the hand since the tracks will offer a lot of turns.
“I think you’ve got to watch the ball from the hand as early as possible, trust your defense. He’s (Ashwin) got carrom balls and got quite often the ball that actually skids on is just as dangerous as the one that turns a lot.”
Ross Taylor added that the likes of spinner Ravindra Jadeja and others like Axar Patel can also be difficult to negotiate on the sub-continent tracks.
He said: “Not only him (Ashwin), Jadeja and co are going to be a handful.”
New Zealand will play a T20I series and then follow it up with two Test matches. The T20Is will be played on November 17 in Jaipur, November 19 in Ranchi, and November 21 in Kolkata. The two Tests will be played in Kanpur (November 25-29) and Mumbai (December 3-7).
The 15-member squad for the Test series against India includes regular cricketers like captain Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Devon Conway, and Henry Nicholls with a back-up in Will Young. Tom Blundell will take the wicketkeeping duties after BJ Watling retired from international cricket post victory in the inaugural World Test Championship final over India in Southampton in June 2021.
Left-arm spinners Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner, off-spinner Will Somerville, and uncapped left-arm spin all-rounder Rachin Ravindra and wicketkeeper-batter Glenn Phillips provide a part-time off-spin option, are present. At the same time, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, and Kyle Jamieson are the pace trio.
NZ squad for Tests: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Will Somerville, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner and Will Young
NZ squad for T20Is: Kane Williamson (captain), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, and Tim Southee