Tatenda Taibu Reckons He Played His Best Cricket After His Comeback In 2007

Tatenda Taibu. What is that first thing that comes to your mind when you hear or read the name of this former Zimbabwe wicketkeeper-batsman? A feisty character? Pint-sized dynamite? Brilliant gloveman? An equally brilliant batsman? Not one, but three world records holder? A rebel? A man who fought against all odds and still came back to play at the highest level? A self-made man?

Well! Tatenda Taibu is an amalgamation of all these aforementioned facts. Having made his debut at the age of 18 then been made vice-captain a year later before being thrust with the job of leading a young Zimbabwean team at the age of 21 after his senior mates like Andy Flower, Henry Olonga had staged a rebellion against the political turmoil that was taking place in the country.

Taibu was trusted with the task of resurrecting the Zimbabwean cricket team and while he did pretty well as a batsman (he scored his maiden Test hundred against Bangladesh in 2004), Taibu announced a shock retirement, a year later, after he faced major backlash for voicing his opinion against the antics of the cricket board.

While speaking to Cricket Addictor, Taibu described that period of exile as the toughest of his life. But then, as they say, adversity tends to bring the best out of champions. And, Taibu is a champion. He continued to play league cricket in Bangladesh, England, and Namibia before making comeback to the national set-up in 2007.

Also Read: Tatenda Taibu Has His Say On Cricket Behind Closed Doors Post COVID-19

Tatenda Taibu opens up on his comeback to International cricket in 2007

Taibu describes his comeback in 2007 and the following years as his best as a batsman in international cricket.

“I remember when I came back. I had played in Bangladesh, England, and subs in Namibia. When I came back my attitude was a bit different, because I was no longer the captain and because of what has transpired and the lack of communication between myself and the players during that period, also what had transpired when I was away, it was very difficult for me to trust the players” Tatenda Taibu told Cricket Addictor.

Taibu said that one of the reasons why he did pretty well following his return, is he pretty much focussed solely on his own game.

“So what I did was, I pretty much focussed on my game and I think I played my best cricket during that period. 2009 was the year when I actually played my best cricket because I didn’t give as much time to other players then as compared to when I was the captain” Taibu added.

Between 2007-2010, Taibu racked up 828 runs in 28 ODIs at an average of 33.12 with two hundred and four half-centuries.

Also Read: I Didn’t Think That MS Dhoni Was Going To Go A Long Way, Says Tatenda Taibu