Shouldn’t get too caught up with Virat Kohli: Ross Taylor tells New Zealand

[MenInG]

Napier: New Zealand’s senior-most batsman Ross Taylor on Monday urged his team to focus on the Indian top-order rather than “get caught up” with run-machine Virat Kohli during the upcoming limited overs series.

The tour starts Wednesday with the first ODI. India will be playing five one-dayers and three T20 Internationals against the ‘Black Caps’.

Entering the Test series worried about how to decode Kohli, the Australians recently learnt it the hard way as Cheteshwar Pujara stole the thunder Down Under, helping his team to an epic triumph. Taylor doesn’t want his team to follow a similar approach.

“He’s (Kohli) a sensational player, the best one-day player going around, easily. It’s easy to get caught up in him. You’ve got two pretty good openers at the top, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, before he gets in,” Taylor was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.

Taylor had his first net session at the McLean Park after his finger injury during the home series against Sri Lanka.

While Kohli averages a staggering 113 in ODIs in 2018, Taylor’s average is 92 in the same period across 13 ODIs.

“I’ve played a few internationals now and understand my role in the team. I’ve worked on my game and try and rotate the strike early and be as busy as I can. Different shots against spinners at different stages have maybe evolved my game in a positive way,” Taylor said.

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news...-with-virat-kohli-ross-taylor-tells-nz-793678

 

[AMSS]

Ross Taylor knows what's up. Neutralize their top order and India surrenders.

 

[MenInG]

Think India too good a team to just depend on Kohli alone so Ross should worry about others too.

 

[rhony]

Who will bat at No.4. That will have major ramifications for India's WC campaign. WIll they be bold and have someone like Gill play? Will they go with the same lineup as the 3rd ODI vs AUS.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

New Zealand should be favorites to win this series. In home conditions they are a formidable side; their batting is very strong, their bowling attack is well-rounded. On top of that, the pitches are not going to be as flat as they are nearly every where in the world and without Bumrah the Indian bowling attack is missing a very key player.

Should be an exciting series.

 

[Varun]

Ross Taylor knows what's up. Neutralize their top order and India surrenders.

Yep, just get us to 50/3 and we'll sink.

If we of all teams win the World Cup with Karthik and Rayudu and the like, it'll be a bigger fluke than 1983.

 

[Sachin136]

Yep, just get us to 50/3 and we'll sink.

If we of all teams win the World Cup with Karthik and Rayudu and the like, it'll be a bigger fluke than 1983.

It will be a fluke if the #2 ranked team that was closely tied with England for having the best W% in 2018 wins the WC? Just because their middle order is weak, despite having the best top 3, the best ODI pacer, and the best ODI spinner in the world?

 

[Varun]

It will be a fluke if the #2 ranked team that was closely tied with England for having the best W% in 2018 wins the WC? Just because their middle order is weak, despite having the best top 3, the best ODI pacer, and the best ODI spinner in the world?

Our plastic middle order undoes a lot of our stronger suits. A World Cup consists of many games followed by knockouts where they will be tested. If they remain standing at the end of it all, fair play to them, but come on - it'll be a fluke considering that some other opponent messed up on the day.

 

[The Viper]

Considering the amount of games in the WC, India’s middle order will be tested for sure. Rayudu doesn’t do great against non minnows. India must give Gill an opportunity.

 

[TheSensible]

I like how posters here suggest that taking top 3 batsmen out early would fold Indian batting line up, like that isn't true for practically any other team.....

India were 4-3 and ended up going upwards of mid 250 in the first ODI against Australia.

 

[Titan24]

Yep, just get us to 50/3 and we'll sink.

If we of all teams win the World Cup with Karthik and Rayudu and the like, it'll be a bigger fluke than 1983.

I guess most teams will struggle from 50/3, not only India.

 

[pratiktc]

I guess most teams will struggle from 50/3, not only India.

True, but India's best run accumulators and best strike rate uppers are their top 3.
So while 50/3 for NZ or Eng still means that likes of Ross/Latham or Buttler/Stokes can reveive inns and tee off in end to reach par/above par score, the best India can hope to do from same situation is to revive inns and try to reach marginally sub par score

 

[rhony]

Considering the amount of games in the WC, India’s middle order will be tested for sure. Rayudu doesn’t do great against non minnows. India must give Gill an opportunity.

If Indian team carries Rayudu with all the other talent sitting at home, and Pant sitting on the bench, then they don't deserve to win.

 

[jagatk]

Think India too good a team to just depend on Kohli alone so Ross should worry about others too.

We can't be that great given our batting starts at 1 and ends at 3 and that stupid woman is benching pandya for her non existent ego.

 

[BaankeJi]

Yep, just get us to 50/3 and we'll sink.

If we of all teams win the World Cup with Karthik and Rayudu and the like, it'll be a bigger fluke than 1983.

Rayudu may not play. MO will consist of Dhoni, Jadhav and Karthik.