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Kohli v Taylor: star batsmen headline India-New Zealand series
WELLINGTON, Jan 22, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Virat Kohli and Ross Taylor will vie
to prove they are the world’s best one-day international batsman as India and
New Zealand clash in the first of five ODIs in Napier Wednesday.
For both sides, the series is an opportunity to fine-tune planning ahead of
the World Cup.
But for Kohli and Taylor — currently ranked first and third in the world
respectively — it’s a more personal battle, with both in electric form and
looking to gain a psychological edge.
The McLean Park wicket promises to be a belter, with New Zealand’s Tom
Latham showing just how ripe the pitch is by smashing 110 off just 60
deliveries, including 10 fours and six sixes, in a domestic Twenty20 match
last week.
“I think it’s going to be a high-scoring affair,” declared New Zealand
coach David Stead Tuesday.
“I’ll be surprised if it’s not. The wicket is hard and bouncy and the
outfield is lightning fast as well.”
Since the start of last year Taylor has averaged a stunning 92 from 13
innings and became the first New Zealander to score 20 ODI hundreds.
However, his performance has been shaded by an even more phenomenal average
of 113 in 17 innings by Kohli, who has 39 ODI hundreds to his name in total.
They go into this series with Taylor fresh from scoring 54, 90 and 137 in
the 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka, while Kohli produced innings of three, 104
and 46 in the 2-1 series win against Australia.
But Taylor — with Latham, Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill to back him
up in the runs department — cautioned against New Zealand focusing too much
on Kohli.
“He’s 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, Sharma and Dhawan, before he gets in.”
Rohit Sharma ranks ahead of Taylor at number two in the world, while
Shikhar Dhawan is ranked ninth.
Taylor could also have added MS Dhoni to the list of feared Indian batsmen
following the veteran’s 51, 55 not out and 87 not out to show he was clearly
in form during the three matches against Australia.
The last time New Zealand played India at McLean Park was four years ago
when Kohli scored 123, but his 111-ball knock was in vain as Williamson (71)
and Taylor (55) set up a 24-run win for New Zealand.
And although India have the higher ranking, their history in New Zealand —
where conditions are similar to what they can expect in the upcoming World
Cup in England and Wales — is not so good.
They have only won 10 of 35 matches in New Zealand, with a sole series win
nine years ago.
The last time they were in New Zealand, in 2014, they were beaten 4-0.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1009 hrs