With 3 semi-finalists decided for the 2016 edition of the ICC World T20, we now await the fourth one and the winner of the contest between India and Australia at the PCA Stadium in Mohali will join New Zealand as the other team from Group 2.
Ahead of the clash later this evening, Blackcaps batsman Ross Taylor has said that the India vs Australia match will be the match of the competition and added that he will be watching in his hotel room in Kolkata on Sunday evening.
“It's going to be a great game, probably the game of the tournament. Theoretically, it's the quarterfinal. We are not leaving Kolkata tomorrow. I will be in my room watching it. Hopefully, the best team wins,” the 32-year-old said after his team’s win over Bangladesh on Saturday.
New Zealand have by far been the team of the tournament so far, having won all their matches in commanding fashion, despite both their strike bowlers- Tim Southee and Trent Boult- not featuring in any of the games, but Taylor felt that all it took was for one player to play a superlative innings and everything could come down very quickly.
“T20 is a very fickle game. All it takes is a world class batsman to take it away from you. The bowlers have done a pretty good job the way things have gone for us so far. We got to enjoy the success of everybody. Every bowler has played their part," he said.
Many experts felt that that the aggressive leadership of recently-retired skipper Brendon McCullum will be missed by the side in India and Taylor felt while the loss was big, their success in these conditions is an indication of the depth in New Zealand cricket at the moment.
“Whoever XI go out there in the middle, we are very comfortable in our roles and confident of doing the job for the team. The team's very happy.
"It's probably a coincidence that (we made successive knockouts in world tournaments). Over the last few years, we have got some pretty good teeth in our cricket. Losing Brendon is a big thing at the top of the order but shows you the depth the New Zealand side have at the moment,” the right-hander said.
Taylor also had a word to say about the late Martin Crowe, adding that he had a big influence on his playing career.
"He had a big impact on my career. After the tournament I'm sure we will think about him more. We're taking game by game. I'm sure looking down enjoying the way we have played so far," he concluded.
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