Ross Taylor is training hard for the first Test of the two-match Test series against India.
India and inaugural World Test champions New Zealand will meet in a two-Test series starting November 25 in Kanpur.
- PTI
- Last Update:November 21, 2021, 3:29 pm IS
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Kolkata: New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor believes playing India One of the toughest challenges for any side in their own home but has refused to divulge details of his plans to tackle leading off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin during the upcoming Test series. India and inaugural World Test champions New Zealand will meet in a two-Test series starting November 25 in Kanpur. The competition is part of the second WTC cycle. “Definitely looking ahead, definitely going to be a challenge. I think there is no harder job than playing India at home or away from Australia. They are probably the two toughest in Test cricket at the moment. There are challenges.
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“But as a group we are looking forward to it and we know we are weak but we are hoping to do well,” Taylor said on Sunday. “Whenever you play India at home, you will always be a Dalit, whether you are world number one or not.” The veteran Kiwi batsman said tackling the Indian spin duo of Ashwin and Axar Patel will be the key to New Zealand’s success in the Test series.
“I don’t want to reveal my secrets right here (asked what is his plan for Ashwin),” he said. I don’t know which lineup India decides to go with, Axar Patel played a big part against England,” Taylor said in a virtual press conference. “Now they are going to play three spinners or two spinners, obviously. Hai Ashwin will be one of them he is a very good bowler especially in these conditions and how we play him will play a big part in this series. Fast bowling is still a main element with the new ball and reverse swing. But spin plays a big role here more often than not, so we can be naive if we assume that only spin will play an important role. Quality seam bowling lineup and reverse swing will have to be tackled. I think we should be concerned about that as well, but spin is a big part of how we play Tests,” Taylor said.
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“You have to put some pressure on the bowlers. If I get a chance, I can bring back the slog sweep shots from time to time.” Taylor feels adapting to the conditions will also play a big part in deciding his fate in the series. but they are still a formidable side. The way we adapt to these situations is going to be important. These conditions are not foreign to us, some people have played here many times before. We would hope to use those experience but we know it will be tough.”
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