Cricket has produced numerous stars over the years, with players becoming household names and transcending the sport itself. Among these, a few have risen to global icon status, not only for their performances on the field but also for their immense influence off it. Sachin Tendulkar, often referred to as the ‘God of Cricket’, revolutionized the game with his extraordinary talent and sportsmanship. Sir Vivian Richards brought a swagger and flair that captivated fans worldwide. Modern stars like MS Dhoni, AB de Villiers, and Steve Smith have continued this legacy, encha??nting fans with their skills and?? leadership.

Ross Taylor picks his choice

Former New Zealand cricketer Ross Taylor, who has seen many greats during his illustrious career, recently shared his thoughts on who he believes stands out as a global superstar in cricket. During his appearance on a podcast, Taylor singled out Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, comparing his global influence to that of football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Taylor highlighted Kohli’s enormous social media presence and his impact on global sports culture. Notably, Kohli, who has a staggering 269 million followers on?? Instagram, is the most-followed Indian athlete and cricketer in the world. This places him just behind Ronaldo, with 630 million followers, and Messi, ?who has 501 million, in the hierarchy of sports personalities on social media.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2024 – Reason why Virat Kohli is likely to miss India’s only Warm up game

Taylor e??mphasized the shift brought about by the rise of social media, noting how athletes have become more accessible to fans and have started to endorse brands more frequently. He remarked on the trust fans place in these athletes, turning them into influential figures beyond their sports. Taylor reflected on how unexp?ected such developments would have been in 2008, but now, figures like Kohli stand as global superstars in the broader world of sports.

“Players are putting outposts endorsing products and things like that. Who would have thought of that in 2008? Someone like Kohli, who is a superstar in the world of cricket, but is also a global superstar in the world of sports. In terms of Instagram and social media, he’s up there with Ronaldo and Messi!” said Taylor on ‘180 Not Out’ podcast.

Social media influence

Taylor discussed the broader implications of social media on public figures, including athletes, movie stars, Bollywood celebrities, and politicians. He acknowledged that while this increased scrutiny might seem cha??llenging, it ultimately contributes to greater access??ibility and connection between fans and their idols.

“Yeah, I think you are more accessible, I don’t think sportsmen are just as critiqued. I think movie stars, Bollywood stars, politicians are all under the microscope now because of social media but I don’t think that is a bad thing,” he added.

Also READ: IPL 2024 – Ambati Rayudu and Kevin Pietersen engage in the banter over Virat Kohli

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As the ICC Men’s Cricket ODI World Cup 2023 enters its decisive phase, the much-anticipated semi-final clash between India and New Zealand on Wednesday (November 15) has captured the cricketing world’s attention. Former New Zealand batter Ross Taylor? has shared insights into w?hy he believes New Zealand hold the edge in this crucial encounter.

Recalling the past showdown

Taylor reminisced about the World Cup semi-final clash between India and New Zealand four years ago in the 2019 CWC, where Blackcaps emerged victorious. Drawing parallels with the current scenario, Taylor highlighted that India have been the in-form side in?? the ongoing World Cup, much like their form in the past.

“Four years ago, India went into the semi-final in Manchester as the form side in the tournament, while we were more focused on ensuring our net run rate would keep Pakistan out of reach for the final spot in the top four,” Taylor was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Ross Taylor foresees New Zealand’s edge in semi-finals against India

According to Taylor, the key factor that gives New Zealand an advantage is that they have nothing to lose. He emphasized that this mindset makes the Kiwis a very dangerous opponent and could potentially make India ‘nervous.’ The freedom to play without the burden of high expectations could work in favor of New Zealand.

“This time around, India are even bigger favourites, at home and having played so well during the group stage. But when we have nothing to lose, New Zealand teams can be dangerous. If there is a team that India will be nervous facing, it will be this New Zealand side,” the 39-year-old added.

Also READ: ODI World Cup 202??3: Here’s wha??t will happen if India vs New Zealand semi-final gets washed out

Setting the tone crucial for Kiwis

Taylor stressed the importance of New Zealand setting the tone early, whether they are batting or bowling first. He observed that India tends to be somewhat overdependent on their top three batters to provide a solid start. The Kiwis, with their strategic approach, have the opportunity to capitalize on any vulnerability in India’s game plan.

“The first 10 overs in both innings are crucial. When India are batting, you want to get them two or three down in the first 10 overs to put them under pressure. They rely heavily on an excellent top three,” the Wellington-born cricketer concluded.

India’s determination to break the jinx

??While New Zealand aim to capitalize on their advantageous position, India are determined to break their World Cup knockouts jinx. The Indian? team seeks to overcome past disappointments and give themselves the best chance to secure their first ICC Trophy in over a decade.

Also READ: List?? of Virat Kohli’s wickets in international cricket

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The ODI World Cup 2023 has already had fans on the edge of their seats with its thrilling performances and intense matches. As the tournament now reaches its midway point, it’s clear that some teams have shone brighter than others and could be the probable winners. Among all, the two teams that have dominated the first half of the tournament are New Zealand and India.

Both New Zealand and India have maintained an unbeaten record in the ICC even so far, with each of them securing?? four consecutive victories courtesy of brilliant performances across all depa??rtments.

A Clash of Titans

Interestingly, these two formidable sides will now be up against each other in a highly anticipated clash at Dharamsala on Sunday, October 22. With both teams unbeaten thus far, o??ne of them will inevitably experience their first loss in the tourn??ament, and fans are eager to see the electrifying battle unfold.

Ross Taylor’s surprise pick

In the midst of this much-anticipated showdown, New Zealand’s veteran batter Ross Taylor expressed his views on the favourites to win the ODI World Cup 2023. Taylor’s choice came as a surprise to many as he picked India over his home nation as the top contender to lift the championship title. He even went on to assert that the outcome of India’s match against the Blackcaps would not hamper India’s winning chances in any case.

“Getting off to a good start in the competition has been particularly crucial because New Zealand have a tough streak of games coming up, beginning with India on Sunday. India in their home conditions are a different beast, and they have started unsurprisingly strongly �?I see them as favourites to win the competition at this stage, no matter what happens in Dharamshala tomorrow,” Taylor wrote in a column he penned for the ICC.

Also READ: Meet the wives and ?girlfriends of New Zeal??and cricketers

Taylor reminisces memories of 2019

Taylor also took a moment to reminisce about the last encounter between the two teams during the 2019 World Cup and mentioned a few iconic moments, such as Martin Guptill‘s run-out of MS Dhoni and the game extending over two days due to rain, ultimately culminating in New Zealand’s victory. The 39-year-old concluded with a hope of a similar outcome for Kiwis in Dharamsala as well.

“Four years ago, we played them in the semi-final in Manchester, and it was an iconic occasion. There was the Martin Guptill run out of MS Dhoni, the game going over two days because of the rain and ultimately, New Zealand coming out on top. Hopefully, there will be a similar result tomorrow �?top of the table at the halfway stage would be a great place to be,” reminisced Taylor.

Also READ: Alana King predicts the four semifinalists of ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023

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Former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor has revealed a shocking incident in his autobiography ‘Ross Taylor: Black & White’, which was released earlier this week.

Taylor recalled when he was slapped across the face by a Rajasthan Royals (RR) owner after he was dismissed for a duck in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match against the Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) in Mohali.

Although the Black Caps cricketer mentioned that?? the slaps were not hard, but said he was not sure if it was entirely play-acting.

“The chase was 195, I was lbw for a duck, and we didn’t get close. Afterwards, the team, support staff and management were in the bar on the top floor of the hotel. Liz Hurley was there with Warnie [Shane Warne],” Taylor wrote in his book, an excerpt of which was published on Stuff.co.nz.

“One of the Royals owners said to me, ‘Ross, we didn’t pay you a million dollars to get a duck,’ and slapped me across the face three or four times. He was laughing, and they weren’t hard slaps, but I’m not sure it was entirely play-acting. Under the circumstances, I wasn’t going to make an issue of it, but I couldn’t imagine it happening in many professional sporting environments,” he added.

Notably, Taylor had represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) dur??ing the initial years of the cash-rich league, but the Rajasthan franchise had snapped him up for $1 million in 2011. The Wellington-born cricketer, however, said that he wo?uld have preferred to stay with the Bangalore franchise rather than the 2008 IPL winners.

“While it was amazing to go for a million dollars, in the long run, I would’ve been better off if RCB had got me for US$950,000. If they had, it would have been my fourth year with them. When you fetch that sort of money, you’re desperately keen to prove that you’re worth it. I’d paid my dues at RCB: if I’d had a lean trot, the management would have had faith in me because of what I’d done in the past. When you go to a new team, you don’t get that backing. You never feel comfortable because you know that if you go two or three games without a score, you come under cold-eyed scrutiny,” Taylor wrote further.

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Former Black Caps batter Ross Taylor has come up with some shocking revelations about racial insensitivity in New Zealand cricket. Taylor, considered one of the greatest ever personalities in New Zealand’s cricket history, announced his retirement from international cricket earlier this year.

In his new autobiography Ross Taylor Black & White, Taylor, who has Samoan heritage on his mother’s side, termed the game in New Zealand as ‘a pretty white sport’ and that he had experienced racism inside dre?ssing rooms. Taylor revea??led that many people assumed he was of Maori or Indian heritage because Pacific Island representation in New Zealand cricket is so rare.

“Cricket in New Zealand is a pretty white sport. For much of my career, I’ve been an anomaly, a brown face in a vanilla line-up,” Taylor wrote in an extract published by the New Zealand Herald.

“That has its challenges, many of which aren’t readily apparent to your teammates or the cricketing public. Given that the Polynesian community is dramatically under-represented in the game, it’s probably no surprise that people sometimes assume I’m Māori or Indian,” he added.

The 38-year-old cricketer mentioned that the locker room banter was sometimes racist and hurtful, but he was co?ncerned that raising the issue might worsen the situation.

“In many ways, dressing-room banter is the barometer. A teammate used to tell me, “You’re half a good guy, Ross, but which half is good? You don’t know what I’m referring to.” I was pretty sure I did. Other players also had to put up with comments that dwelt on their ethnicity,” revealed Taylor.

“In all probability, a Pakeha [white New Zealander] listening to those sorts of comments would think, “Oh, that’s okay, it’s just a bit of banter.” But he’s hearing it as a white person, and it’s not directed at people like him. So, there’s no pushback; no one corrects them. Then the onus falls on the targets. You wonder if you should pull them up but worry that you’ll create a bigger problem or be accused of playing the race card by inflating harmless banter into racism. It’s easier to develop a thick skin and let it slide, but is that the right thing to do? “ Taylor added further.

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Former New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor played his final intern?ational game for the Blackcaps against the Netherlands at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Monday (April 4).

Taylor, who made his ODI debut for New Zealand on March 1, 2006, against the West Indies, has ?played 236 matches and finished his career as the highest run-getter for his nation, with 8607 runs to his credit.

Taylor got emotional during the national anthem ceremony prior to the start of New Zealand’s innings and then was greeted with a guard of honour by the Dutch players after he came down to bat for the final time in a Black Caps jersey. But, the 38-year-old could not do much in his final outing and was dismissed for a mere 14 off 16 balls.

In his final international game, Taylor took the winning catch as New Zealand defeated the Netherlands ?by 115 runs to complete a 3-0 whitewash. Meanwhile, Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar took to Twitter and wrote a heartwarming note for Taylor, hailing the New Zealander as a ‘great ambassador of the game.’

“You’ve been a great ambassador of the game, Ross! It was wonderful playing against you. The way you reinvented yourself over the years to adapt is an inspiration for all the young kids aspiring to be cricketers. Heartiest congratulations on a fabulous career,” Tendulkar wrote on Twitter.

You’ve been a great ambassador of the game Ross! It was wonderful playing a?gainst you. The way you reinvented yourself over the years to adapt is an inspiration for all the young kids aspiring to be cricketers.

Heartiest congratulations on a fabulous career. pic.twitter.com/RpB62iuuD0

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 4, 2022

Notably, Taylor had earlier announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier year and played his final game against Bangladesh. Interestingly, just like the ODIs, Taylor is also the?? all-time leading run-scorer in the longest format for New Zealand,? scoring 7683 runs in 112 matches.

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On Tuesday, New Zealand thrashed Bangladesh ??by an? innings and 117 runs in the second Test at the Hagley Oval in Ch?ristchurch to draw the two-match series 1-1.

Veteran Black Caps player Ross Taylor, who was playing his last Test match, took the final wicket of Bangladesh’s second innings to end his glorious career on a high note.

Bangladesh batter Liton Das scored a brilliant 102 off 111 deliveries, but it wasn’t enough as the tourists were dismissed in their second innings for 278 after being forced to follow on 385 runs behind.

Initially, New Zealand captain Tom Latham scored 252 runs, and Devon Conway smashed 109 in a mammoth?? first innings total of 521/6 declar??ed. In response, the visitors got bundled out for 126 in their first innings.

“Obviously nice. We came here 1-0 down. We needed to win on a few areas. Our partnership in the first innings was ideal. Obviously nice to contribute. We put up a perfect performance, and it was ideal. Just wanted to do things a little bit longer. We just passed the ideal baton to the other guys. We put up a perfect performance. All around the world, the surfaces differ from venue to venue. We obviously have done well across the world. Bangladesh put up a great game in the first Test. They (the bowlers) keep putting up their hand up,” said Latham after the match.

Brief scores:

New Zealand 521/6 dec (Tom Latham 252, Devon Conway 109; Shoriful Islam 2/79) beat Bangladesh 126 (Trent Boult 5/43) & 278 (Liton Das 102; Kyle Jamieson 4/82) by an innings and 117 runs.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

What a way to finish the Test! @RossLTaylor takes his THIRD Test wicket to finish the Test inside 3 days at Hagley Oval. We finish the series 1-1 with @BCBtigers. #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/2GaL0Ayapr

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 11, 2022

Man oh man I love cricket.

Ross Taylor, what a legend. What a te??st career. What a New Zealander.

— Michael Appleton (@michelappleton) January 11, 2022

//twitter.com/sparknzsport/status/14807?79448131616771

Ross Taylor finishes his Test career with a wicket to clinch a huge win and 12 #WTC23 points for New Zealand! 🎉#NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/UaibIuSyxO

— ICC (@ICC) January 11, 2022

Ross Taylor 0.3-0-0-1
Taylor becomes the first player to take wicket(s) without conceding runs in career's final Test.#NZvBAN

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) January 11, 2022

This is pure poetry. #NZvBAN //t.co/3QXwPWMRgc

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) January 11, 2022

The series ends 1-1. #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/jyGAZUUITJ

— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 11, 2022

New Zealand won by an innings and 117 runs.
#BCB #BANvsNZ #cricket pic.twitter.com/ZJ7ikvi26h

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) January 11, 2022

Bangladesh should be proud of the way they played this series – most of the teams struggle in these conditions and coming to New Zealand, ending their dream run and drawing the Test series – one of the great performance ever in Bangladesh Test history. pic.twitter.com/R4w0rVerM4

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 11, 2022

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New Zealand’s middle-order batter Ross Taylor received a great rece?pti??on when he walked out to bat in the first innings of his final Test at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Saturday.

The Blackcaps veteran recently announced his retirement from international cricket, stating that the ongoing series against Bangladesh, which will take his tally of Test appearances to 112, will be hi??s last in the longest format of the game.

The video of him walking to the crease in the first innings of the opening Test was shared by the Blackcaps on their Twitter handle. “A great reception for @RossLTaylor from the Bay Oval as he comes out to bat for the first time in his final Test series for New Zealand,” the N??ew Zealand Cricke??t Board captioned their post.

A great reception for @RossLTaylor from the Bay Oval as he comes out to bat for the first time in his final Test series for New Zealand. Follow play LIVE in NZ with @sparknzsport. #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/nDNKpauEGL

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 1, 2022

Taylor’s knock, however, was cut short by left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam. The 37-year-old returned to the pavilion after scoring 31 runs in the first innings??.

Earlier, Bangladesh won the toss and opted to field first. Notably, Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo had said on the eve of the first Test that his side will try to make Taylor’s farewell to Test cricket “as miserable as possible.”

“We know he’s a quality player and a lot of bowlers will be glad to not have to bowl to him anymore,” Domingo had said.

“We want to try to make sure he doesn’t have a great send-off — we want to make sure his send-off is as miserable as possible.”

Taylor is New Zealand’s highest run-scorer in both Tests and One Day internationals, and Domingo expects that Wellington-born will want to finish his cricketing career in a blaze of glory. “We know we have to bowl well to get him out these next couple of weeks because he’ll be determined to finish off well,” the coach added.

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On Thursday, New Zealand star Ross Taylor confirmed that he would retire from international cricket at the end of Black Cap’s home season. Taylor, who began his international career in March 2006 against West Indies, took to Twitter to announce that he will hang his boots after the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh and ODI legs versus Australia and the Netherlands.

“Today, I’m announcing my retirement from international cricket at the conclusion of the home summer, two more tests against Bangladesh, and six odi’s against Australia & the Netherlands. Thank you for 17 years of incredible support. It’s been an honour to represent my country #234,” wrote Taylor on Twitter.

Today I'm announcing my retirement from international cricket at the conclusion of the home summer, two more tests against Bangladesh, and six odi’s against Australia & the Netherlands. Thank you for 17 years of incredible support. It’s been an honour to represent my country #234 pic.twitter.com/OTy1rsxkYp

— Ross Taylor (@RossLTaylor) December 29, 2021

Notably, Taylor is the first international player to feature in 100 games in ea?ch of the three formats. So far, Taylor has played 110 Tests, 233 ODIs and 102 T20Is, scoring 7585, 8576, and 1909 runs, respectively.

The Wellington-born has smashed 19 h??undreds and 35 half-centuries in the longest format. When it comes t??o the ODIs, Taylor has 21 tons and 51 fifties to his name. Similarly, in the shortest format, the right-handed batter has hit seven half-centuries.

“It’s been an amazing journey, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have represented my country for as long as I have. It’s been such a privilege to play with and against some of the greats of the game and to have created so many memories and friendships along the way,” said Taylor in a statement.

“But all good things must come to an end, and the timing feels right for me. I want to thank my family, friends, and those who have helped me get to this point. There’ll be plenty of time for more thank-yous and reflections later in the season – but for now, I want all my energy and focus to be on preparing and performing for the Black Caps this summer,” he added.

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