India has enough depth in bowling attack: Taylor
- Mumbai: Despite Jasprit Burmah being almost ruled out of the World Test Championship Final, former New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor is of the opinion that India have 'enough depth' in their bowling department to trouble Australia in the summit clash which will be held from June 7 to 11 at The Oval.
- While the Aussie bowlers have a lot of experience of bowling in English conditions, the way Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav bowled during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, they won't take them lightly when they come across them in helpful conditions.
- "Very tough to replace Burmah. He has been fantastic in all three formats and a leader of their bowling attack, but I think there is still enough depth in the Indian lineup to trouble the Australian side. Shami & Co have been fantastic," said Taylor during an interaction organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday.
- Taylor had hit the win-beaten 96-run partnership with skipper Kane Williamson for the third wicket to take New Zealand to victory in the inaugural WTC final held at Rose Bowl, Southampton, in 2021.
- Most of the players will get only a few days to prepare after the Indian Premier League (IPL) but Taylor feels it won't be an issue.
- "Both teams will go in slightly underprepared, but they will be cricket hardened. These guys play a lot of crickets in a lot of different conditions. Traditionally, not the preparation they might be used to but if you ask both the teams, they will give their best and they won't use it as an excuse," said Tay-, lor, who is New Zealand's second highest-scorer in Tests with 7,683 runs and hanged last year.
- He added that it will be difficult to predict the winners as both teams are evenly matched plus "there are going to be injuries, fitness issues and all those things will add to the drama". "So, one team won't have an advantage over the other in that regard."
- The last time India played at The Oval was during the 2021 series against England and the seam quartet of Jasprit Burmah, Umesh, Si- raj and Shardul Thakur picked up 14 wickets between them as India recorded their first victory at the venue in 50 years. Rohit Sharma had scored an important century in the second innings.
- That match was played in September while the WTC Final will be held in June and Taylor feels that conditions play a big part in England especially during the start of the season. "Anytime you play in England, conditions, the weather, the pitch... play a big part. Also, with the duke ball seamers play a big part. Australian seamers are renowned to bowl with Duke ball. But I wouldn't rule out this Indian side that has had a lot of success recently.