WTC final will be played between India and New Zealand on 18th June at Southampton.
Veteran New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor admitted that Team India has set the bar really high and considering their bench strength, it will be an extremely tough battle for them during the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
After defeating England on their home soil in a Test series after 22 years, New Zealand is high on confidence. However, a massive challenge awaits the Black Caps as they will take on Team India in the final ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, which will be played at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton from June 18.
With only two days remaining for the much-awaited clash veteran New Zealand batsman, Ross Taylor addressed the virtual press conference.
"Selectors have got some good back-ups for whatever side they pick for WTC 2021 Final" - Ross Taylor
The swashbuckling batsman lauded Team India saying that the Virat Kohli-led side has world-class players whatever XI they choose it would be tough to face them as they have set the bar really high.
He added that even though they played two Tests against England, playing Team India at home, away, or at a neutral venue is always tough for their opposition.
"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.
"India has been a world No 1 side and they have kept the bar really high for a long period, 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,” Ross Taylor said during the virtual press conference.
Taylor remarked that Team India has a balanced squad with quality batters and bowlers on their side. He added that they recently had success in Australia and their intra-squad match would’ve been like playing an international Test match.
"India has been a fantastic side for a long period, 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. I am sure their warm-up game would have been a lot like playing a Test match,” he said.
Taylor admitted that playing two Test against England before the WTC is ideal preparation for them in English conditions.
"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,” said Ross Taylor.
Taylor said that playing the WTC final against Team India, who ended as the no.1 ranked Test team for five years, is exciting for the whole New Zealand team and they are looking forward to it.
“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 going to be really hard opposition to play against but at the same time we are looking forward to that,” he said.
Taylor further said that his team loves to play Test cricket and that even a two-match series is 'better than nothing. He admitted that the three-Test series might not be very feasible in the current scenario, adding that he hopes to play more of them in the future.
New Zealand's Test series win over England won't count for much in WTC 2021 Final- Trent Boult
“As players, we love playing Test cricket and we would love to play three-match series but if it was a difference between playing a white ball series and playing just two-Test series, we definitely take two-Test series, it is better than nothing.
"It is a moving base world cricket at the moment with COVID and quarantines and bubbles and things like that, so being realistic, with a 3 or 4 match series, I never played one of them. I can't see it happening in the future but hopefully, we can play more three-match series to test ourselves,” he concluded.
(PTI Inputs)