Ross Taylor scored over 18,000 runs for New Zealand across formats.
Outing New Zealand batter Ross Taylor gave an epic reply to his ‘favourite player’ Sachin Tendulkar, who paid tribute to him on his retirement.
Taylor called time on his international career on Monday (4th April) with the completion of the three-match ODI series against the Netherlands. Although he scored only 14 runs in his final outing for the nation, he has been one of the prolific batters in the BlackCaps' line-up over the years.
Taylor played a pivotal role in taking New Zealand to greater heights at the international stage. Debuting for the team in 2006, the right-hander played 112 Tests, 235 ODIs, and 102 T20Is for the Kiwis in a career that lasted 16 years. He scored over 18,000 runs across formats to go with 40 centuries and 93 half-centuries.
He is also New Zealand's most successful one-day batter with 8,607 runs to his name, including 21 hundreds and 51 half-centuries. As he stepped on the field for the last time for his nation, cricketing legends across the world including Sachin Tendulkar wished the former Kiwi captain.
Talking to the official Twitter account, Tendulkar paid tribute to Taylor for his wonderful career. Calling him a ‘great ambassador of the game’, he said the former New Zealand skipper will inspire the young cricketers.
“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,” Sachin Tendulkar Tweeted.
In reply, Taylor surprised many as he thanked Tendulkar in Hindi. He said that he was honoured to receive a message from his ‘favourite player’ growing up.
“Shukria Sachin Bhai, aap ki recognition ke liye. To get this message from my favourite player growing up is an absolute honour,” Taylor responded.