'I'd love to get into psychology when I finish playing'
Farhaan Behardien on why he's called Fudgie, and the friends he made during the IPL
Interview by Arun Venugopal
25-Jun-2016
"You have 11 to 15 different types of people in the team. It's quite important to understand where they come from" • Getty Images
You have a background in psychology…
Yeah, I studied a bit of psychology. I haven't finished it yet. It's a field I would love to get into when I am done with the game. I need to finish my studies first. It's definitely a goal to use the contacts I have made in cricket and the fact that I have played international cricket. I have been to World Cups and want to use that experience together with some book knowledge.
Yeah, I studied a bit of psychology. I haven't finished it yet. It's a field I would love to get into when I am done with the game. I need to finish my studies first. It's definitely a goal to use the contacts I have made in cricket and the fact that I have played international cricket. I have been to World Cups and want to use that experience together with some book knowledge.
How much of this has shaped the way you play your game?
I think learning about people is quite important, especially in team sports - there are a lot of different personalities in the team. Eleven to 15 different types of people. So it's quite important to understand where they come from, especially in South Africa, and I am sure it's the same in India. There are lots of different cultures and people come from different backgrounds and different religions in India. And in South Africa there are different religions, different races and colour. So you need psychology to mix with the guys and try and [use it to help with achieving] the goals of the team.
I think learning about people is quite important, especially in team sports - there are a lot of different personalities in the team. Eleven to 15 different types of people. So it's quite important to understand where they come from, especially in South Africa, and I am sure it's the same in India. There are lots of different cultures and people come from different backgrounds and different religions in India. And in South Africa there are different religions, different races and colour. So you need psychology to mix with the guys and try and [use it to help with achieving] the goals of the team.
Is this something you talk to mental-conditioning coaches like Paddy Upton about?
Yes. Paddy worked with the national team when Gary Kirsten was the South Africa coach a few years back, and Paddy was on board for quite a big part of that. I quite enjoyed Paddy's work, and it's something that I would like to do one day. It may not be exactly the same thing but I have worked with a few other guys as well.
Yes. Paddy worked with the national team when Gary Kirsten was the South Africa coach a few years back, and Paddy was on board for quite a big part of that. I quite enjoyed Paddy's work, and it's something that I would like to do one day. It may not be exactly the same thing but I have worked with a few other guys as well.
Who are your go-to guys for cricket advice?
I have been pretty fortunate to play with a few players like Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers. Those are some of the players I look to for advice. We just got a new batting coach, Neil McKenzie. He played so much cricket before playing for the national team. He has played in the UK. He has been a journeyman over the years and has a lot of knowledge, so I will try to get some batting tips from him.
I have been pretty fortunate to play with a few players like Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers. Those are some of the players I look to for advice. We just got a new batting coach, Neil McKenzie. He played so much cricket before playing for the national team. He has played in the UK. He has been a journeyman over the years and has a lot of knowledge, so I will try to get some batting tips from him.
How did you get the nicknames Fudgie and Abadi?
Abadi is not my name. Fudgie is - I have seen it on a website before.
Abadi is not my name. Fudgie is - I have seen it on a website before.
I was into rugby training 18 years ago, and my coach couldn't pronounce my name. The first thing I said [when I spelt my name out] was "F for Fudge" and he started calling me Fudge. And then the next day at school all my friends started calling me Fudge or Fudgie, and it's been like that.
What is your most cherished bit of cricket memorabilia?
My shirt when I played against India in 2012, a T20 game at the Wanderers. That was my debut international game.
My shirt when I played against India in 2012, a T20 game at the Wanderers. That was my debut international game.
Who are your best friends among your South Africa team-mates?
David Miller and Faf du Plessis.
David Miller and Faf du Plessis.
What has your experience of the IPL been?
It's a totally different experience. You get to mix with international players. I have been trying to get into the IPL since the first edition, but it's always a tough thing to get into. It's been good. Fortunately I had my countrymen David Miller and Kyle Abbott from the start, and Amla joined later. It's a bit of comfort to have them around.
It's a totally different experience. You get to mix with international players. I have been trying to get into the IPL since the first edition, but it's always a tough thing to get into. It's been good. Fortunately I had my countrymen David Miller and Kyle Abbott from the start, and Amla joined later. It's a bit of comfort to have them around.
I learned from Sanjay Bangar on playing spin on slow, turning wickets. For me it was good learning from the Indian batsmen, and hopefully I will take some of what I learnt back to South Africa.
Who are the new friends you made at Kings XI Punjab?
There is a young guy called Armaan Jaffer. He is a very good player. There are a few other guys - Manan Vohra and Nikhil Naik. We connected over the six or seven weeks, and I tried to impart some of my knowledge to the younger guys. It was something I wanted to do.
There is a young guy called Armaan Jaffer. He is a very good player. There are a few other guys - Manan Vohra and Nikhil Naik. We connected over the six or seven weeks, and I tried to impart some of my knowledge to the younger guys. It was something I wanted to do.
Who is the clumsiest guy in the Kings XI dressing room?
David Miller. Just a little bit, nothing over the top.
David Miller. Just a little bit, nothing over the top.
Arun Venugopal is a correspondent at ESPNcricinfo. @scarletrun