iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
UAE women's cricket team turned their fortunes around with a memorable triumph in Namibia
KT APPDOWNLOAD
India 'favourites' to win World Cup, says ex-Kiwi skipper Taylor
The hosts meet New Zealand in a marquee clash on Sunday in Dharamsala, which will witness a first loss in the tournament for one of the teams
Indian players celebrate the wicket of Bangladesh's Towhid Hridoy during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 match between India and Bangladesh. — PTI file
India at home are a "different beast" and remain favourites to win the ongoing World Cup, former New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor said on Saturday.
The hosts meet fellow unbeaten New Zealand in a marquee clash on Sunday in the Himalayan hill town of Dharamsala, which will witness a first loss in the tournament for one of the teams.
New Zealand and former champions India, led by Rohit Sharma, have four wins each with the Kiwis top of the 10-team table with a better run-rate.
"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 Dharamsala tomorrow," Taylor said in an International Cricket Council (ICC) column.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
But Taylor, an aggressive batsman who retired last year after being part of two World Cups finals in 2015 and 2019, said a packed home crowd will bring the best out of New Zealand.
"The crowd will naturally play a part but I think New Zealand will thrive in that atmosphere," said Taylor.
"Every time you come here, you play in front of full crowds and you know you'll be up against it."
ALSO READ:
New Zealand come into the game with a 5-3 record against India at the 50-over showpiece and came out on top in the 2019 semi-final at Manchester.
Taylor hopes for a similar result on Sunday, saying, "top of the table at the halfway stage would be a great place to be".
More news from Sports
Winners edge out Stuart Smith’s squad by a hair in a thrilling 21-team showdown at Yas Links Abu Dhabi as Jackson Bell wins Individual Title
Many City players, including Kevin De Bruyne, Manuel Akanji, and Bernardo Silva, have voiced concerns about the crammed calendar this season
Eleonora clinched the win at the Grand Prix Stuttgart & Region, with a decisive strong sprint
The F1 championship continues at the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend
The Northern Ireland star expresses disappointment in the loss but focuses on positives ahead at Wentworth
Teammate Rashed Al Qemzi stays on course for a record fifth title triumph in the UIM F2 World Championship
The pair tangled while battling for third place behind winner Oscar Piastri of McLaren and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc