Any time you play India at home you're going to be the underdogs: Ross Taylor

New Zealand batter Ross Taylor has admitted that any team playing against India in India will start as underdogs. The veteran batter will be seen in action against the Asian giants in the two-match Test series starting on Thursday (November 25). The series will kick start the new Test Championship cycle for New Zealand, who are the defending champions. New Zealand defeated India in the final to win the Test Championship. Taylor has pleasant memories of that summit clash in Southampton and was the one who hit the winning run.

The challenge of facing India at their home conditions will be huge. The side has not beaten India in a Test series but Taylor and the team are ready for the tough battles ahead. "We can say we're world champions now and that's suddenly different, trying to retain it," Taylor said. "It's sort of a harder place to start. We started in Sri Lanka last time and we drew that series. It's going to be a great two years I'm sure,” Taylor told ESPN Cricinfo.

After the India series, New Zealand will play Pakistan and England away and will face Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and South Africa at home. During the last Test Championship cycle, the Kane Williamson-led side drew and lost away tours in Sri Lanka and Australia respectively. This time the team will be looking to do well away from home. Taylor believes that playing in India will be tough even when India will be without a couple of big players.

"We've gone so many years as underdogs. But now coming in as champions: I guess the element of surprise is gone. But any time you play India at home you're going to be the underdogs, whether you're No. 1 in the world or where they sit in international cricket at the time. They are resting a couple of players but they're still a formidable side and know these conditions really well.

"The way we adapt to these conditions is going to be the key going forward. Some of the guys have played many a time here before. We'll be looking forward to hopefully use that experience to make things slightly easier but we know it's going to be tough."