I think New Zealand start as favourites at home, they know this format really well: Ross Taylor

Former cricketer Ross Taylor has exuded confidence in the New Zealand team by saying that they are the favourites to win the three-match home ODI series against India. The first game will be played at the Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, November 25.

The Kiwis had blanked India 3-0 the last time they had featured in a bilateral ODI series. This happened when the Men in Blue had visited New Zealand in early 2020.

New Zealand know this format really well: Ross Taylor

“I think New Zealand start as favourites at home. They know this format really well. They know how to play in these conditions. This is a young and exciting Indian side and when India beat us 5-0 in the T20Is a few years ago (2020 tour), we won the One Dayers 3-0,” said Ross Taylor while speaking on ESPNcricinfo's T20 Time Out. “We will just have to wait and see, but New Zealand are slight favourites looking from these scenes,” he added.

The last time India beat New Zealand was way back in early 2019 when they had registered an undisputed 4-1 win in the ODI series. The fifth and final ODI of that series became famous for MS Dhoni’s smart tactic from behind the stumps to dismiss James Neesham. Dhoni had brilliantly tricked the Kiwi all-rounder to believe that he had missed the ball and eventually ended up effecting a hilarious run out as the viral incident did rounds on social media in no time.

Nonetheless, it is to be noted that the Men in Blue have failed to beat the BlackCaps in the last four ODI meetings that also includes the heartbreaking 18-run loss in the semis of the 2019 World Cup in Manchester. A new-look Team India led by Shikhar Dhawan in the absence of their key players would be hoping for a revival in fortunes this time around as they begin their preparations for the next year’s World Cup at home.