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'I See Them As Favourites'- Ross Taylor Lauds India Before Dharamsala Clash

image-lo0wymokIndia will take on NZ on Sunday [X.com]

Despite the brewing tension and nerves at the prospect of facing New Zealand next in Dharamshala on Sunday (October 22), Ross Taylor reminded cricket lovers in India that Rohit Sharma and company remain firm favourites to lift the World Cup 2023 trophy. 

Taylor believes the tournament hosts are primed for ultimate success regardless of the result on a swing-friendly venue against the Kiwis. The former Kiwi middle-order giant reckoned India's magnificent start to the campaign is an "unsurprising" event and backed Men In Blue to storm into the knock-outs stage. 

"India in their home conditions are a different beast and they have started unsurprisingly strongly – I see them as favourites to win the competition at this stage, no matter what happens in Dharamshala tomorrow," Taylor was quoted as saying by the International Cricket Council (ICC) ahead of the much-anticipated clash. 

The BlackCaps legend highlighted India's allround bowling prowess that has caused mayhem for opposition in the tournament so far. Led by ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian attack has bundled out Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh for scores of just 199, 272/8, 191, 256/8 in four consecutive victories. 

Taylor Lauds India As World Cup Favourites 

The former cricketer also underlined the form and domination on show from India's much-vaunted top-order as skipper Rohit and legendary No.3 Virat Kohli continue to scale the runs-chart. At the same time, the middle-order duo of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul play understated but impactful roles in the team's success. 

"Jasprit Bumrah has led the attack brilliantly, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Jadeja are bowling really nicely and their top three have been fantastic for a long time," Taylor said. 

"You can’t expect your top three to score runs all the time but they also now seem to have found a nice combination at four and five with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. New Zealand will need early wickets to put that middle order under pressure," he added. 

That form, quality and depth shall come in handy as India gear-up for the Kiwi encounter with the history staked against them. The two-time world champions haven't defeated New Zealand in a men's ICC event since conquering the BlackCaps challenge at the 2003 edition of the World Cup.