What’s the story?
In his latest column for the Hindustan Times, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir has recalled his experience as part of the first ever batch that was picked at the National Cricket Academy in 2000, revealing how of his one of his fellow batchmates had trouble understanding what the Director of the Academy Hanumant Singh was trying to convey in the camp held in Bangalore.
“One day we were all asked to fill an NCA form. It was all smooth except one section where one of my future India teammates fumbled and left us in raptures. The simple question asked in the form was: “Mother tongue.” To which my friend replied “pink” thinking that NCA mandarins wanted to know the colour of the tongue rather than the language!
“One more nugget came when the then NCA director Mr Hanumant Singh was speaking to another of my future India teammates. The late Mr Singh asked: “Vikas, (name changed to preserve my friendship), are you feeling home-sick?” My friend replied, “No sir, nobody is sick at my home, all are healthy.” Let’s move on,” he wrote in his column.
In case you didn't know...
Gambhir and the rest of the Kolkata Knight Riders are right now in Bengaluru to take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first game of double header Sunday at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The last time these two teams met earlier this season, the Virat Kohli-led side were bowled out for 49, thereby breaking the record for the lowest IPL total.
The heart of the matter
In the colomn, the left-hander also recalled fond memories of him, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Mohammad Kaif and others who were part of the first batch of the NCA in 2000. He further revisited some fond memories like winning the 2014 IPL, the 2011 World Cup game against England etc.
He also spoke about how the upcoming game against the RCB was an important one in his chances to progress to the Playoffs and revealed that Chris Lynn and Robin Uthappa- two key players for the franchise were available for selection for this game.
What’s next?
The Knight Riders will hope to reverse their fortunes against a side that just does not seem to have any confidence under their belt at the moment. Also, the crushing win over the RCB in Kolkata won’t be forgotten too easily and he would his players can deliver a repeat performance on Sunday.
Author’s take
Normally considered to be a serious type of guy, Gambhir through these colomns has shown a new side to him, one which fans don’t often get to see from him when on the field. H will hope to lead from the front during the game against the RCB on Sunday.
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