Who's the best cricket quizzer at KKR?
April 4 We're in the gym at 9am for skin-fold testing, Brendon [McCullum] and [Chirag] Jani are in notably great shape, and in the event of any underwear shoots popping up they have been nominated as our representatives
Ryan Ten Doeschate
25-Feb-2013
Sunil Narine: makes teams look cool since er 2012 • Associated Press
April 4
We're in the gym at 9am for skin-fold testing, Brendon [McCullum] and [Chirag] Jani are in notably great shape, and in the event of any underwear shoots popping up they have been nominated as our representatives. I realise that I've hit the age where my sweet tooth and the odd beer can no longer be hidden in my test results. The late arrival of the various players has caused the cancellation of the dreaded fitness tests. It is evidently a very popular announcement in the team meeting.
We're in the gym at 9am for skin-fold testing, Brendon [McCullum] and [Chirag] Jani are in notably great shape, and in the event of any underwear shoots popping up they have been nominated as our representatives. I realise that I've hit the age where my sweet tooth and the odd beer can no longer be hidden in my test results. The late arrival of the various players has caused the cancellation of the dreaded fitness tests. It is evidently a very popular announcement in the team meeting.
I've decided to go for a haircut, inspired in no small part by Sunil Narine. I've been trying to convince myself that the exaggerated mohawk will suit my image, but I end up bottling it and going short back and sides. I think Sunni can manage the team’s coolness-load all by himself.
April 5
It is match day and I will admit that the selection of the team has been playing on my mind. I've come from a very poor campaign for Impi (franchise) in South Africa, yet, I feel like I'm playing as well as I have since making a few small changes to my setup. I've quietly done my business without setting the world alight when I have played for the Kolkata Knight Riders, but my gut is telling me that I won't be in the starting line-up this evening.
It is match day and I will admit that the selection of the team has been playing on my mind. I've come from a very poor campaign for Impi (franchise) in South Africa, yet, I feel like I'm playing as well as I have since making a few small changes to my setup. I've quietly done my business without setting the world alight when I have played for the Kolkata Knight Riders, but my gut is telling me that I won't be in the starting line-up this evening.
Eden Gardens is buzzing, the crowd are so passionate and the emergence of the team for our warm-ups sends the supporters into wild excitement. I'm not in the playing XI, but I'm out there taking it all in. There's no place like India, and particularly Kolkata, for playing cricket.
A heavy rainstorm delays the start, but the crowd are not perturbed. The waiting around and uncertainty as to start time and match length are unsettling and the mood in the dressing room is tense. It is, however, a good time to catch up with friends from the opposition and I have an intense debate with Rob Walters [the Delhi trainer] as to whether Gaurav [Kapur] or Archana [Vijaya] is the better cricket presenter.
April 6
We catch a lunchtime flight to Jaipur. As a result of the late finish last night, the morning has been a write-off for most of the guys and it is an unusually quiet journey. I use the time to catch up on some reading. I’m reading Animal’s People, a story about the Bhopal disaster (1984), a sensitive subject in India. I like keeping my reading topical, and although the book gives a harrowing account of the human destruction caused by the disaster, it is a fantastic and eye-opening read.
We catch a lunchtime flight to Jaipur. As a result of the late finish last night, the morning has been a write-off for most of the guys and it is an unusually quiet journey. I use the time to catch up on some reading. I’m reading Animal’s People, a story about the Bhopal disaster (1984), a sensitive subject in India. I like keeping my reading topical, and although the book gives a harrowing account of the human destruction caused by the disaster, it is a fantastic and eye-opening read.
April 7
Jaipur is a fabulous city. I'm fascinated by history and Jaipur is a treasure chest of forts and palaces. Amber Fort provides the perfect morning-off trip. The massive canon at the fort has never been fired in anger. I'm by no means saying I'm a big gun, but I can relate to the lack of firing at the moment. The trip is cut short as we're off to train in some serious heat.
Jaipur is a fabulous city. I'm fascinated by history and Jaipur is a treasure chest of forts and palaces. Amber Fort provides the perfect morning-off trip. The massive canon at the fort has never been fired in anger. I'm by no means saying I'm a big gun, but I can relate to the lack of firing at the moment. The trip is cut short as we're off to train in some serious heat.
Trevor [Bayliss, the Knight Riders’ coach] has organised a quiz night for the team. All the questions are cricket-related and there are some real cricket buffs in our squad. Shakib [Al Hasan] is particularly good in our team, but not smart enough to stop [Jacques] Kallis' Kings from winning by half a point. The most entertaining feature of the quiz was the bonus round where every player has to walk two metres with a coin wedged between their legs and then drop it into a glass. Not exactly University Challenge, but extremely funny and a great way to improve team spirit.
April 8
Today’s match against the Rajasthan Royals was a tough encounter. We were good with the ball and in the field but a cameo from Brad Hodge meant we were chasing 165, which we felt was definitely gettable. The Royals bowlers were brilliant up front and we never recovered from the loss of early wickets. There is so much class in our line-up and it won't be long till we start firing.
Today’s match against the Rajasthan Royals was a tough encounter. We were good with the ball and in the field but a cameo from Brad Hodge meant we were chasing 165, which we felt was definitely gettable. The Royals bowlers were brilliant up front and we never recovered from the loss of early wickets. There is so much class in our line-up and it won't be long till we start firing.
April 9
The travelling during the tournament can be more tiring than the actual cricket. Our travel time from Jaipur to Bangalore is about five hours long. I've not even played and my body is stiff and tired. Our trainer Adrian Le Roux has organised a recovery session on arrival at our hotel, and the 20 minutes in a cold pool is well worth the effort.
The travelling during the tournament can be more tiring than the actual cricket. Our travel time from Jaipur to Bangalore is about five hours long. I've not even played and my body is stiff and tired. Our trainer Adrian Le Roux has organised a recovery session on arrival at our hotel, and the 20 minutes in a cold pool is well worth the effort.
I've just finished watching the [Deccan] Chargers and [Mumbai] Indians match. Without a doubt it's been the best match of IPL 5 so far, and a nice bit of inspiration for our contest against the Royal Challengers Bangalore tomorrow.
April 10
We've barely had time to rest since arriving last night. It is a day game. The team meeting is centred around staying calm and sticking to our methods but there's no denying that we are under the pump after losing our first two matches. I'm also going to be making my first start of this IPL campaign – needless to say, I'm delighted.
We've barely had time to rest since arriving last night. It is a day game. The team meeting is centred around staying calm and sticking to our methods but there's no denying that we are under the pump after losing our first two matches. I'm also going to be making my first start of this IPL campaign – needless to say, I'm delighted.
We start like a house on fire: the captain [Gautam Gambhir] leading from the front and Jacques Kallis and Bis [Manvinder Bisla] playing superb support roles. I'm particularly delighted for Bis, who has been a good friend since we met last year. Due to the nature of the combinations we invariably either both play or both sit out, so it's a great performance for our team within the team.
But the night belongs to Bala [L Balaji]. He has bowled well in the nets and practice matches and delivers a crucial set on a seamer-friendly wicket. We've fended off the chase by the 10th over with RCB 50 odd for 5. Everyone chips in and we win comfortably in the end.
It's down to the bar, to have a few celebratory drinks with the team and the owners. A quick sigh of relief for being back to winning ways before we focus our attention to preparing for the weekend matches.
Later in the evening SRK [Shah Rukh Khan] pulls me up to dance on stage with him and Chris Gayle. I'm not the most rhythmically gifted and I am heavily out of my depth.