'I had quite a bit to say to him after that'
A 143kph offcutter, a cap from paaji, and more
25-Dec-2007
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The first sledge I enjoyed
Mark Boucher had just hit me for a four to get to his half-century in the first innings at Durban last year. I pretended to be tired, began to breathe hard and bowl slowly. Then, suddenly, I surprised with him with a 143kph offcutter that bowled him. I had quite a bit to say to him after that, since I had been sledged a lot by him when I was batting.
Mark Boucher had just hit me for a four to get to his half-century in the first innings at Durban last year. I pretended to be tired, began to breathe hard and bowl slowly. Then, suddenly, I surprised with him with a 143kph offcutter that bowled him. I had quite a bit to say to him after that, since I had been sledged a lot by him when I was batting.
The first rap on the knuckles
During the Johannesburg Test one day I was late to board the bus by seconds. When I reached the dressing room, I got a 15-minute dressing down from Greg Chappell about punctuality and discipline. "You've got to be disciplined at this level to succeed."
During the Johannesburg Test one day I was late to board the bus by seconds. When I reached the dressing room, I got a 15-minute dressing down from Greg Chappell about punctuality and discipline. "You've got to be disciplined at this level to succeed."
The first hero I met
Allan Donald was next only to Dennis Lillee for me, and I had followed his career closely. When I told him so, he laughed and said, "Now you are playing at the same level I played at. Make sure the youngsters look up to you one day as you look up to me now."
Allan Donald was next only to Dennis Lillee for me, and I had followed his career closely. When I told him so, he laughed and said, "Now you are playing at the same level I played at. Make sure the youngsters look up to you one day as you look up to me now."
The first dream I realised
I had always wanted to get my Test cap from Sachin Tendulkar and that's what happened. Sachin paaji gave me the cap in Nagpur [against England]. He said, "We are all playing for this [India cap]. Make sure you use every opportunity to learn and enjoy the game." Those last five words are writ large in my diary.
I had always wanted to get my Test cap from Sachin Tendulkar and that's what happened. Sachin paaji gave me the cap in Nagpur [against England]. He said, "We are all playing for this [India cap]. Make sure you use every opportunity to learn and enjoy the game." Those last five words are writ large in my diary.
The first time I got nervous
I was nervous in my first Test. I came up with a 108kph delivery first up. It was displayed on the big screen.
I was nervous in my first Test. I came up with a 108kph delivery first up. It was displayed on the big screen.
As told to Nagraj Gollapudi