Ross Taylor accepts challenging role in the face of expectations

Ross Taylor was picked up by Rajasthan Royals this season amidst great expectations. He was inducted as a 'finisher' who can lift any innings to a higher level or salvage one on the verge of collapse.

He came into the limelight during the match against a strong Pakistan side who had recently beaten the Kiwis at their home.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 game was staged at Kandy, Sri Lanka on 8 March, 2011. The Kiwis’ had lost two wickets at 55 runs when Taylor entered the arena. Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar had been utterly dominating the Black Caps.

Taylor was lucky to be dropped a couple of times early in his inning by the Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal.

Pouncing on the opportunity, Taylor changed the complexion of the game by thrashing Pakistani bowlers to death. He remained unbeaten in the match with 131 runs off 124 balls aided with seven towering sixes and eight powerful fours.

New Zealand was able to post 302 runs in the 50 overs and bowled out Pakistan for 192 runs. Taylor had singlehandedly devastated the Green Caps, leading his side to victory.

After that stellar innings, Taylor has a lot to live up to, especially in the Twenty20 format prevailing in the Indian Premier League.

"It is probably something that has been put upon me over the last three or four years," Taylor told ESPNcricinfo.

"It is different. It is not a role I do for my team back home in New Zealand, or for New Zealand at international level but it is something I do enjoy,” he added.

Taylor takes the expectations as a challenge but the shorter version of the game requires a change of tactics.

"There are not many batsmen who can come out and smack the ball from ball one and do it consistently. So you still have to give yourself a chance. It depends on many runs you have to get and how many balls you have to go. Then you can decide how many balls you have to get in."

Rajasthan Royals have won four games so far in the ongoing Indian Premier league. Taylor has not yet had to prove himself or save a collapsing side.

However, the Rajasthan Royals are looking forward to book their place in the Semi-finals. They have been winning the home matches so far and will be looking to bag the rest as well. Taylor’s presence is a definite advantage for his side, it’s not just his batting talent that is of value, but his experience being the Vice Captain of his national side also comes in to play.