ICC World Cup 2023: 'Beasts' India favourites to win at home, says former New Zealand batter Ross Taylor
economictimes.indiatimes.comNew Zealand batter Ross Taylor. India have begun their World Cup campaign in a resounding manner, winning all four of their matches so far.
The hosts take on New Zealand, the only other unbeaten side in the tournament, in a marquee clash in Dharmsala on Sunday.
«India in their home conditions are a different beast and they have started unsurprisingly strongly — I see them as favourites to win the competition at this stage, no matter what happens in Dharmsala (on Sunday),» Taylor wrote in his ICC column.
India's batting and bowling units have been performing in tandem. While the likes of skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been in impeccable form, Jasprit Bumrah and the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja have delivered with the ball.
«Jasprit Bumrah has led the attack brilliantly, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja are bowling really nicely and their top three have been fantastic for a long time.
»You can't expect your top three to score runs all the time but they also now seem to have found a nice combination at four and five with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul," he said.
While India will enjoy the support of the fans, Taylor reckons the packed crowd will bring out the best out of the Black Caps as well.
«New Zealand will need early wickets to put that middle-order under pressure. The crowd will naturally play a part but I think New Zealand will thrive in that atmosphere.
»Every time you come here, you play in front of full crowds and you know you'll be up against it.
The crowds here are very vocal but very fair at the same time."
India have a record of faltering against New Zealand at ICC events. The Men In Blue have been unable to get past the Kiwis for over two decades.
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