Indian captain Virat Kohli praised New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor ahead of this week's milestone Test cap.
Taylor will soon become the first cricket to play at least 100 matches across all three formats – T20I, ODI and Test – of the international game.
New Zealand's series opener against India at the Basin Reserve in Wellington will mark Taylor's 100th Test appearance. He has already played 231 ODIs and 100 T20Is.
Kohli on Taylor
“Ross is one guy who has made an impact a lot of times for New Zealand. I've been fortunate enough to play with him at the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. Lovely guy. He really understands the game very well – that's the only way you can play for so long across all formats,” said Kohli.
The 35-year-old Taylor considered retiring after last year's World Cup in the United Kingdom. He captained the New Zealand XI in Test and ODI cricket 14 and 20 times, respectively, between 2010 and 2016.
What Taylor said
“It's nice to start the club. I'm sure over the next few years, there's going to be a lot more to join in,” said Taylor.
“I still feel like I'm good enough and have a lot more to offer this team, both on and off the field. I'm still as hungry as ever to score runs. I love playing cricket, first and foremost. It's not a job.
“There's still a game of cricket to be played. The celebration and all the things that come with it will hopefully come after the match.
“It's not necessarily the runs you get in the good times, it's how you deal with the failures that shape you as a person. Sometimes the negative things make you harder and stronger and more resilient. That's what you need to be, to be a Test player.”
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, meanwhile, is looking forward to a tough challenge against an Indian team currently at the top of the International Cricket Council's rankings for Test teams – and the 2019-21 Test Championship leaders.
“They are a quality side and leading the World Test Championship. There is a reason for it, they have so many quality batsmen in their line-up and they have got a world-class bowling line-up as well,” concluded Williamson.
