A fit-again Ishant Sharma has joined the India team for the two-Test series and he will add a new dimension to India’s bowling attack, thinks veteran New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor. The pacer is returning to the squad after recovering from an ankle injury which he sustained during a Ranji Trophy game last month. On the other hand, Taylor is all set to become the first cricketer to play 100 games across formats. However, he has already played 231 ODIs and 100 T20I games so far.
“I think if we just look at Bumrah, we are in trouble. I think their whole bowling lineup is fantastic. Obviously, Sharma coming back will bring new dynamics to the team,” Taylor told reporters.
“They have got a world-class batting line-up as well and we have to get through that. But they are the No. 1 team in the world for a reason and we know we have to be on our game to be successful against them.”
However, the veteran was asked if he wants to look back at his early days, especially the setbacks where he gave a nice reply.
“Yeah, I think so. That shapes you as a person and as a player,” he said instantly. “Sometimes it’s not necessarily the runs you get and the good times. It’s how you deal with failures along the way that shape you as a person, as the way you go about your training, as a teammate. Sometimes it’s the negative things that make you stronger and more resilient, and that’s what you need to be a Test player”
However, Ross Taylor has already got messages from his former teammates Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum. McCullam has already in the 100-club which Taylor is about to join.
“I just got a call from Brendon before we got here saying all the best. He said ‘do better than what I did’, I don’t know what he got in his 100th game. I asked if there was any tip on how to deal with tickets and things like that,” he shared with a laugh.
“I got a message from Vettori as well last night. Obviously, it is a special club to join and it’s nice to hear from fellow players who have been there and done that.”
However, he shared that the thought of retirement has crossed his mind once when he had set the 2019 ODI World Cup as a deadline for himself. But he thought that he still has much cricket left in him.
“I always said to myself, the 2019 World Cup wasn’t a bad place to start thinking about that ‘R’ word. But I still I am good enough and have a lot more to offer this team both on and off the field. I am still as hungry as ever to score runs. After my first series, I wouldn’t have been putting much money on myself to be playing 100 Tests, that’s for sure. I am happy with what has happened,” he concluded.
