I have been fortunate to play for a few IPL teams: Ross Taylor

India’s cash-rich league – Indian Premier League has changed the lives of many cricketers around the world. Not just Indian cricketers, but overseas cricketers also deem themselves fortunate to be a part of the top T20 league. One such cricketer is New Zealand middle-order batsman Ross Taylor.

Ross Taylor and his New Zealand teammates are currently touring Sri Lanka for two-match Test series and three-match T20I series. The Blackcaps are currently sitting at the second spot on the points table and if they win the two-match Test series 2-0, they have a chance to top the Test rankings.

Taylor calls himself fortunate for playing IPL

Taylor was part of Pune Warriors India and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. However, his name didn’t pop up in the IPL 2019 Auction and he didn’t get a chance to showcase his hitting abilities in the recently concluded season. Taylor stated that IPL has helped NZ cricketers heavily by rubbing the shoulders with the best cricketers in the world.

“I have been fortunate to play for a few teams [in the IPL] and play with great players. I think there has been an aura around Australia, South Africa and a few of these teams. I think the IPL helped New Zealand cricket sort of bridge that gap a little bit,” said Taylor as quoted by TOI.

“Once you know these players, you are picking their brains and watching them train and that has helped New Zealand cricket immensely. Players who have played over there and [who will play in] years to come will benefit by rubbing shoulders with the best players in the world,” he added.

New Zealand will kick start their Test series against Sri Lanka from 14th of August. This will be Kiwis maiden assignment after the heartbreaking 2019 World Cup Final. The first Test of the series will take place in Galle. The next Test will be starting from 22nd of August in Colombo.

Later, the tour will shift to the shortest format of the game with the first T20I starting on 1st of September, 2nd game on 3rd of September and the third game on 6th of September with Pallekele being the host for all three T20Is.

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