I Hope International Cricket Is Still Relevant And Priority Over Franchise Cricket: Ross Taylor

Veteran Kiwi batsman Ross Taylor is one of the few great players today who does not participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL). While Ross Taylor has been a proven performer in the IPL, having represented Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals, and Pune Warriors, he has not played since 2014 and stuck to international assignments. Hence, the veteran hopes that top-level cricket still has preference over franchise cricket.

Ross Taylor has been one of the consistent batsmen in Test and ODI cricket in the last decade, capable of walking in any World XI as a reliable middle-order player. The 37-year old recently became New Zealand‘s highest run-getter in Test cricket – he has 7379 runs in 105 matches at 45.83. Taylor’s ODI record is as impressive, accumulating 8581 runs in 233 games at 48.21.

Ross Taylor, who will have a vital role to play in the ICC World Test Championship final against India, acknowledges that IPL is a high-profile competition as players plan their schedules around it as they are keen to participate in it. But the 37-year old hopes that international cricket holds priority for the cricketers as long as they don’t result in cancellation or postponement.

“IPL is probably the one that’s most high profile [competition] and countries move [their schedules] around while others don’t have the same power. It’s what it is, players want to play in it. But I, you know, hope that international cricket still has relevance and priority at times. If things are moved around that’s fine, as long as they are not canceled and what not,” Taylor said in a virtual press conference.

It’s something which has changed a lot from when I started IPL: Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor also pointed out that during his IPL playing days, players used to skip it and return for national duty, something which is hardly seen these days. But the veteran wishes that cricketers prefer to play for their country first and remains almost confident that is the case.

“It’s something which has changed a lot from when I started IPL. The movement of players… as a team we weren’t able to play in the whole IPL we had to come over and help the team for a couple of weeks here in New Zealand. I think it’s a move for the good but I hope that international cricket is still the [preferred] one and I am sure if you ask most international cricketers around the world that’s the case,” he added.

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