IND vs NZ | Any time you play India at home, you're going to be the underdogs, says Ross Taylor

India and New Zealand will lock horns in a two-match Test series which is scheduled to begin on Thursday, November 25 in Kanpur. Kane Williamson and Kyle Jamieson, who were rested for the ongoing T20I series against India will be playing in the red-ball series, whereas the hosts will miss the services of captain Virat Kohli in the first Test in Kanpur. Kohli will join the squad for the second Test in Mumbai, and Ajinkya Rahane will lead the team in the first Test match. 

Taylor last played competitive cricket in June this year, where he hit the winning runs in the final against India in the World Test Championship. The right-hand batsman is returning to international cricket after a five-month break and will be back in action against India in the two-match Test series.

 "We've gone so many years as underdogs. But now coming in as champions: I guess the element of surprise is gone. But any time you play India at home you're going to be the underdogs, whether you're No. 1 in the world or where they sit in international cricket at the time. They are resting a couple of players but they're still a formidable side and know these conditions really well.

"The way we adapt to these conditions is going to be the key going forward. Some of the guys have played many a time here before. We'll be looking forward to hopefully use that experience to make things slightly easier but we know it's going to be tough," the right-hander believes. 

"When you're coming to India you want to play as much cricket as you want and can. Preparation so far has been fantastic. it's a little bit different having no net bowlers, you know, facing our bowlers as preparation. It's been key. I have been lining up to face spinners, they bowl a lot of overs. Normally you get 10-15 overs of net bowlers of spin to practice. It is slightly different but it is what it is and it's an interesting challenge both on the field and off it as well," the 37-year-old added. 

Taylor, who have featured in 108 Tests for New Zealand added that spin always plays a major part in sub-continent pitches and India have world-class spinners. He further added that getting through the first 10-20 balls in an innings is going to be crucial for the batsmen.

"When there are a lot of men around the bat, it can be an intimidating place to start your innings but having said that... Getting through those first 10-20 balls is going to be crucial and it's a bit of a cliche, but things do get easier. But no, it's going to a big challenge for us, especially the batting unit," Taylor added.