New Zealand may be the defending champions of the World Test Championship (WTC) but they will still be an underdog when they face India in a two-match series starting on November 25, batsman Ross Taylor has said. Taylor said that any team is an underdog against India at their home, regardless of what their ranking is and New Zealand will be looking to get off to a good start to their title defence.

Taylor said that the hoss will be formidable despite resting a few players. India will notably be without captain Virat Kohli in the first Test while opener Rohit Sharma, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have been rested.

“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,” Taylor is quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

“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,” he said.

Taylor said that he has been preparing to face spin bowling. The 37-year-old has not played any cricket since hitting the four that helped New Zealand beat India at the Ageas Bowl in the World Test Championship final five months ago.

“When you’re coming to India you want to play as much cricket as you want and can,” Taylor said. “Preparation so far has been fantastic. (But) it’s a little bit different having no net bowlers, you know, facing our [own] bowlers as preparation. It’s been key.

“”I have been lining up to face spinners, they bowl a lot of overs. Normally you (also) get 10-15 overs of net bowlers of spin to practice. It is slightly different but it is what it is and it’s an interesting challenge both on the field and off it as well.”