Coming from a record breaking 5-0 whitewash T20 series, Team India were confident and hopeful on the start of the ODI series against New Zealand. However, this time the situation is the opposite, as the hosts have secured the series with 2 consecutive wins in the first and second ODI matches. In both games, the player that stood out with dominating performance on the pitch is Ross Taylor, who landed two brilliant knocks in both games. To avoid a 3-0 whitewash and secure a consolation win the final match of the series, Indian bowler Shardul Thakur believes the wicket of the Kiwi veteran is the key.
Speaking in an interview before tomorrow’s match, Shardul Thakur complimented Ross Taylor for his brilliant spell with the bat in both matches, and even referred to him as ‘God on the leg side’.
“Ross is batting really well. He can play like God on the leg side once he is in. In the last two ODIs, there were chances of us dismissing him, but we did not grab our chances. It is important to send him back early in the innings,” Thakur told reporters.
In the first ODI, Ross Taylor scored a swashbuckling 84-ball-109 not out with ten boundaries and four over boundaries, effectively being the factor behind successful chasing a mammoth score of 347 that India put up in the first innings.
In the second match, the 35 year old shined again, however this time he scored 73 runs from 74 balls with six fours and two sixes, and kept his wicket till New Zealand’s score ended on 273, which they successfully defended against Kohli and co.
Despite losing the ODI series, Thakur hopes to turn things around in the final match tomorrow at the Bay Oval cricket ground.
The 28 year old continued: “Every match is important. Just because we are 0-2 down, this does not mean that the final match is important. Every international match holds a key. We are 0-2 down. We can express ourselves and we will play with freedom.”
Although being on the losing side in the last two games, Thakur has been impressive with the ball. He picked up the Black Caps opener Martin Guptill’s wicket in the first game, and secured two in the second match.
“I think wherever you play, bowlers get the benefit of setting the field, as the bowler knows where he will bowl. The confidence develops when you keep executing your skills, my rhythm feels good right now. I am focusing on the process and not on the outcomes,” he added.
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