Ross Taylor retires: Tendulkar, Dravid, Kohli pay tributes to Kiwi batsman

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor bid adieu to international cricket on Monday (April 4) as he played his final game against The Netherlands at his home ground – Seddon Park in Hamilton.

It was a winning farewell for the 38-year-old right-hander as the Kiwis won the game by 115 runs to complete a 3-0 sweep of their opponents. Taylor ended his career by taking a catch that also signalled a victory for the home team.

He had retired from Test cricket earlier this year. His last T20I was in November 2020.

An emotional Taylor teared up before the start of play as the national anthem was played. His wife and children were at the stadium to witness his final match where he scored 14 off 16 balls with one six.

Special moments for @RossLTaylor and his family before play at Seddon Park. Follow KFC ODI 3 from Hamilton LIVE with @sparknzsport. #ThanksRosco #NZvNED pic.twitter.com/tSurjjarsH

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 4, 2022

Taylor brought the curtains down on his 16-year international journey. He played more than 100 games in each of the three formats – a feat that no other player has managed to achieve so far.

The former Black Caps captain retired with 18,199 international runs (40 hundreds, 19 in Tests, 21 in ODIs) having played 112 Tests, 236 ODIs, and 102 T20Is. He made his international cricket debut in a ODI against West Indies in Napier on March 1, 2006.

Special moments at Seddon Park. #ThanksRosco pic.twitter.com/ggbAOYEPj2

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 4, 2022

Among his achievements was winning the inaugural ICC World Test Championship in 2021. New Zealand defeated India in the final in Southampton, England. He was unbeaten on 47 as the Kiwis chased down 139 to capture the title against the Virat Kohli-led Indian side.

A special reception for @RossLTaylor at Seddon Park as he heads out to bat for the final time for New Zealand. Follow play LIVE with @sparknzsport. #NZvNED pic.twitter.com/UwPs4zdcrJ

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 4, 2022

Taylor holds the record for the highest Test score by a New Zealand batsman in Australia. In 2015, he scored 290 against Australia in Perth. He is the highest run-scorer for New Zealand in ODIs – 8,607 runs, and also holds the records for most ODI tons (21) and ODI fifties (51) by a Kiwi.

On social media, tributes poured in for Taylor.

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. pic.twitter.com/RpB62iuuD0

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 4, 2022

“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,” Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar wrote on Twitter.

The official Twitter handle of the New Zealand cricket team shared a video where Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, Kumar Sangakkara, Daniel Vettori and other cricketers paid tributes to Taylor.

Messages from around the cricketing world for @RossLTaylor ahead of his final match for New Zealand tomorrow at Seddon Park. #ThanksRosco #NZvNED pic.twitter.com/krmI1aUY2l

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 3, 2022

Special tributes for the @BLACKCAPS legend 🤩pic.twitter.com/10FXOy0I16

— ICC (@ICC) April 4, 2022