New Delhi: World's fastest man Usain Bolt says the fastest format of cricket is his favorite and feels more fans in the Caribbean and around the world will choose the T20 format over Tests in the future. It's not surprising that he said that.
One of the greatest athletes of all time, Bolt grew up in Jamaica dreaming of becoming a fast bowler and is now looking to 'make his dreams come true' as an ambassador for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.
The 100m and 200m world record holder added time to his unparalleled career in 2017, and seven years later, his charisma remains unparalleled.
Some sensed a childlike excitement in him as he talked about cricket on his way to a makeshift cricket stadium in New York. The stadium is one of three T20 World Cup venues in the continental United States and will host the June 9 match between India and Pakistan.
“I grew up playing cricket. My dad was a big cricket fan and still is. It's always been in my blood. To actually be a part of cricket again as an ambassador is great. It's great. I've never been into cricket and had to fulfill my dream of being a cricketer, so it's great to be an ambassador for the T20 World Cup,” Bolt said. P.T.I. From New York.
He has spent the last few months traveling around the world, especially for music and football, so he doesn't have time to watch live cricket on TV.
He knows that IPL has started, but due to scheduling, he could not watch it in one sitting.
“I haven't been able to watch as much as I would like, but I try to catch up on T20 when I have time,” said the 'Lightning Bolt'.
Speed is what excites Bolt the most and it's no wonder he calls T20 the best format of the game.
“T20s certainly… it was a great idea when they started and it still is. You have to be strong and fast, but also strategic, set the field and do things quickly. We compress the game because we need to complete it. For me it's a combination of 'Test matches and days together to make a perfect game. ” Bolt is not alone in being attracted to the shortest format in the Caribbean. The same goes for West Indies' elite cricketers. They are currently receiving more praise for their achievements in the T20 league than for their performances in West Indies colours.
Amid the T20 boom, Test cricket is under serious threat in the region and Bolt sees only a bright future for the slam-ban format.
“I think T20s and one-dayers (ODIs) are still a big force in the Caribbean. In fact, people don't enjoy Test cricket that much. It's the speed of the game that's important, the big hitters like Andre Russell. So for me It's important to know the direction of progress (the game is progressing in the Caribbean). ”
“It's going to encourage more people to watch sports, because people like excitement. That's the key,” he said.
The United States is hosting a global cricket event for the first time, and the local American community is expected to take part in the game, even though the game is currently played by residents of South Asia and the Caribbean. Mr. Bolt believes that he is deaf.
“I'm confident that this game can grow in the US as well. Once you have a presence in that country, people will start to gravitate towards it and want to know more.” It's great to see Akram grow. I love Kohli, he's one of the standout cricketers in the game – and while Bolt may not have a lot of free time on his hands, he grew up in Jamaica and watched a lot of cricket with his father. The sight of Wasim Akram overwhelming batsmen with his in-swinging yorker is still fresh in my memory.
“Over the years, one of my favorite players from an early age was Wasim Akram because he was an introverted yorker. Of course, players like Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose. All of them, whom I have respected over the years, had a commanding presence in that space.'' Did he like anyone in the Indian team? “Like my father, I always support West Indies (laughs). But yes, I was also a fan of Sachin Tendulkar. He and Brian Lara were part of my upbringing. “It was a great rivalry,” he said. Two legendary hitters.
Of the current squad, Bolt says, “Kohli definitely stands out.”
When asked if there is any cricketer who has even the slightest potential to be a sprinter, the Bolt showman was the first to come up.
“We're joking right now, me and Chris Gayle (we're both close friends). He actually said he could beat me if he ran over 100 meters. We'd run a race and see what happens. I’d like to see if that happens (lol).”
“I'm the best when it comes to speed. I don't think any cricketer can challenge me right now (laughs),” said Bolt, who is looking forward to returning to India in the near future.
His last visit was in 2014.
issued May 15, 2024, 19:44 IST