IND v NZ 2021: Ross Taylor stays mum on New Zealand’s plans of tackling Ashwin, Akshar during Test series

India and New Zealand to play two Tests in Kanpur (Nov 25) and Mumbai (Dec 3).

Veteran New Zealand batter Ross Taylor said that playing India in their own backyard is one of the toughest challenges for any side but refused to give away any plans of how they’ll tackle the threat of Indian spinners in the upcoming two-Test series which begins on November 25.

India and New Zealand, who are the defending world Test Champions will clash in two Tests with the first match to be played in Kanpur on Nov 25 and the second in Mumbai from Dec 3^rd. The series is part of the second WTC cycle.

"I don't want to give my secrets away just here (on being asked what's his plan for Ashwin). I don't know what lineup India decide to go with, Axar Patel played a big role against England. Now they are going to play three spinners or two spinners, obviously, Ashwin will be one of them. They are very good bowlers, especially in these conditions and how we will play them, will play a big part in how the series is gonna go," Taylor said in a virtual press conference.

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"Fast bowling still remains a main element with the new ball and reverse swing. But spin more often plays a big part over here, so we could be naive if we assume only spin will play a key part. We still gonna have to face a quality seam bowling lineup and reverse swing. I think we should also be worried about that but spin is gonna play a big proportion of how we will be going to play the Test," Taylor said.

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Taylor also said that he will not be afraid to bring out his patent slog-sweep to counter the spinners and said that despite resting a couple of players, India is still a formidable side.

"You have to put some pressure back on the bowlers. If I get the opportunity, I could bring back the slog sweep shot every now and then. They are resting a couple of players but they are still a formidable side. The way we adapt to these conditions is going to be the key. These conditions are not foreign to us, some of the guys have played many times here before. We will be Looking forward to hopefully use those experiences but we know it’s gonna be tough,” Taylor signed off.

(PTI inputs)