Ross Taylor urges New Zealand to win ODI series and create history on Indian soil

Prior to the current series, New Zealand had played seven ODI tournaments in India outside of World Cups (including other multilateral competitions) and were not able to taste success during any of those events. However, they have an opportunity to finally register their maiden ODI series triumph on Indian soil if the fifth match at Vizag goes their way. Senior batsman Ross Taylor has declared that the visitors are eagerly awaiting the chance to create history.

Speaking to blackcaps.co.nz, the 32-year old expressed happiness at being able to emerge out of Ranchi with a victory and urged his teammates to replicate the performance during the winner takes all clash.

Upon arriving at Vizag, Taylor stated, “You don’t often win series away from home, especially in the sub-continent. It’s a pretty exciting time. Hopefully we can get better than what we have in the past. Four months on the road becomes tough but going into a decider it’s pretty easy to get up for. We have not won a series here. We are looking forward to it. We know what we need to do to win here.”

The fact that they are entering into the final ODI on an even keel to the hosts is all the more impressive after considering what had transpired in the Tests. Up against a settled and in-form unit, the Kiwis suffered a 0-3 whitewash. With quite a few regulars like Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja rested from the ODI series, India have not been able to exert a similar kind of dominance in this format.

However, Taylor remained wary of the hosts and admitted that they are ‘outstanding at home’. While he has not had a noteworthy tour with only 189 runs to his name from the 3 Tests and 4 ODIs combined, the right-hander was at the forefront of a couple of interesting run-outs which has not helped matters for him. But, the Kiwis managed to win the second and fourth ODI through relentless efforts on the field.

Looking back at the previous match at Ranchi wherein they eked out a 19-run victory, Taylor said, “It was a pretty tough wicket. Martin (Guptill) and (Tom) Latham got us to a good start. Once the ball got softer, it showed how tough it was to rotate the strike. Kane (Williamson) was struggling out there as well. But, we were always confident to defend 260. Going into the match with six bowlers gave Kane a bit of leeway with the bowling changes.”

It remains to be seen if New Zealand opt for a similar combination during the final ODI which will take place at Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium on Saturday.