Taylor on Saturday was snapped up by Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 franchise Rajasthan Royals for a cool $NZ1.3 million, making him the most sought-after New Zealander in the lucrative competition.
It was good reward for his exploits in cricket's shorterst version during the past two years, but of more immediate concern to him and New Zealand cricket followers is his recent run of low scores at test level.
As New Zealand continue to pick up the pieces from a 10-wicket annihilation at the hands of a new-look Pakistan inside three days in the first test at Seddon Park here, the spotlight has gone on the again underwhelming top six, and Taylor in particular.
Arguably New Zealand's best batsman is in the midst of a worrying run drought at test level, and a return to form is seen as key to home hopes of a series-levelling win in the second test at Wellington, which starts on Saturday.
Since his 138 against Australia here last March, Taylor has had just one score of more than 30 in eight test innings, 56 against India at Ahmedabad last November. His average of 21.5 across that period is almost half his career average of 40.21.
Taylor does not have a magic cure but today said he was working on the mental side of his game and was intent on playing as straight as possible as he searches for runs in Wellington.
"Confidence is a big thing," he said before a New Zealand training session at Seddon Park on what was scheduled to be the final day of the first test.
"I don't feel as though I'm out of form, there have been a couple of unfortunate ways that I've got out but I guess I've got to keep working hard and hopefully that's good enough.
"As a batsman you're constantly tweaking your game. Personally it's about getting into the right state of mind and playing straight to give myself the best chance, and when a half volley comes your instinct takes over."
The unfortunate methods of dismissals Taylor referred to were a top edge to a short, wide ball from spinner Abdur Rehman that he would normally put away in his sleep after a first innings contribution of six, and being run out for eight in the second dig. But the 26-year-old is making no excuses.
"That's cricket, your job is to score runs and batting at No 4 is a very crucial position," he said.
"The way I'm playing at the moment is not good enough but as I said I don't feel as though I'm out of nick, I just haven't been able to score the runs."
Though he is a senior batsman and vice-captain, Taylor said he did not feel under added pressure to dig the team out if their hole.
"I feel like I'm under pressure every time I go out to bat.
"Am I setting a good example for the younger players? I haven't been scoring runs, so probably not. The best way to lead this team is to score runs."
Meanwhile, he rubbished suggestions players had been distracted by Saturday night's IPL auction, saying it was "never an issue" and that they were "completely focused".
Taylor was the big winner on the night and today said his worth of $1.3 million, and to be compared to some of the best Twenty20 players in world cricket, was flattering.
"I've been disappointed with my form test cricket but my form in Twenty20 has been pretty good in the last 12-18 months. I've put in a lot of hard work and I guess it's nice to get some reward."
He said he had enjoyed the past three years playing for Bangalore but he would relish working under the Rajasthan player-coach, former Australian legspinning great Shane Warne.
"He is very innovative in the way he captains so I'm looking forward to learning off him in that role."
