Here's the reason behind Ross Taylor's 'tongue poking' celebration

Ross Taylor failed to take his country home on more than one occasion in the recent T20I series against India. As the most experienced batsman of New Zealand, it was a big disappointment for the 35-year-old. But Taylor more than made it up in the first ODI against Virat Kohli’s side by slamming 109 not out in 84 balls to see the Black Caps chase down a big target of 348 comprehensively.

Taylor, who completed 100 T20I games in the recent series, played both pacers and spinners easily. He had an extra responsibility in the absence of regular captain Kane Williamson and he did not let down in the game in Hamilton to bring his team the first international victory of the year.

Harbhajan asks Ross Taylor the reason for his unique celebration

After hitting his match-winning 21st ODI century, Taylor poked out his tongue in celebration. Senior India spinner Harbhajan Singh congratulated the veteran batsman on the social media and asked why does he poke his tongue out every time he slams a ton. He also tweeted a picture of the batsman poking his tongue out.

What a knock @RossLTaylor well done.. tell me why do u put the tongue out every time score 100??? 😜good game of cricket #indvsnz pic.twitter.com/XjNuXVxrTW

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 5, 2020

There will be more people out there who might have a similar query as the Turbanator. For those who didn’t know it, Taylor had revealed the reasons for his unique celebration after hitting a Test century against Australia in 2015.

One of the reasons is superstition. “Right back when I was at age group I got dropped a couple of times when I got hundreds,” he told Wide World of Sports. “Then I poked my tongue out – (after) I got dropped – against Australia, my second ODI hundred.”

Father like son. #Jonty pic.twitter.com/DNlOxuX2qv

— Ross Taylor (@RossLTaylor) July 27, 2014

The other is more personal and it is about his daughter. He said his daughter feels pretty happy whenever he poked out his tongue and he dedicated his tongue-out celebration to her as well. Not just the daughter but Taylor had also posted a picture of his son Jonty posing for a photograph with his tongue poked out.

The first time Taylor had made the special celebration was in 2007 when he hit a hundred in Australia. New Zealand will be banking heavily on Taylor to score more runs to see them clinch the ODI series against a strong Indian team which has won a number of limited-over series of late by coming from behind.

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