In a warning to Team India, former New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor has cautioned that the Kiwis could prove to be formidable opponents when they have nothing to lose in the upcoming ODI World Cup semifinal. Despite India being favorites, Taylor highlighted the danger posed by the Kiwi side that won their first four tournament games consecutively.

Reflecting on the 2019 semi-final encounter, Taylor emphasized that New Zealand can be a potent force when considered the underdog. He acknowledged India’s strong form but underscored the potential nervousness within the Indian unit facing a New Zealand side with nothing to lose.

“When we have nothing to lose, New Zealand teams can be dangerous. If there is a team that India will be nervous facing, it will be this New Zealand side,” Taylor wrote in an ICC column. He outlined the strategy of targeting India’s top order early in the game, especially the formidable trio of Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli, to put pressure on the middle order.

Taylor stressed the importance of restricting India’s dominance by getting early breakthroughs, particularly in the first 10 overs. He cautioned New Zealand’s openers to preserve their wickets against the formidable Indian pace trio of Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah.

“If you can do that, it stifles them and affects how early they can assert their dominance. When they’re bowling, it’s similar. You want to score runs, but it’s also vital we keep wickets in hand against weapons like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami,” Taylor concluded.

With a stellar cricket career, Taylor, who scored 8602 runs in 236 ODIs for the Kiwis, is regarded as one of the greatest batters from New Zealand in the history of the game.

—

#RossTaylor #TeamIndia #ODIWorldCup #CricketSemifinal #CricketStrategy #NewZealandCricket #CricketCaution #CricketLegends #ICC #CricketNews #CricketInsights #SportsAnalysis #CricketSemifinalPreview #CricketGreats #CricketLegendRossTaylor #JaspritBumrah #MohammedShami #MohammedSiraj