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Yuvraj Singh: What he said, really meant and definitely did not
Yuvraj Singh Lays Down The Law
What he said:
“The problem in India is if some one says a rooster has given an egg it will become news!! Whether it’s true or not it doesn’t matter."
Yuvraj Singh is livid that bookie Mazhar Majeed named Harbhajan Singh and him among the cricketers he had ‘access’ to.
Majeed and Pakistani fast bowler, Mohammad Asif, are on trial in a London court facing spot-fixing charges in a betting scam.
The News Of The World broke the sensational expose with footage of meetings between intrepid reporter Mazhar Mehmood and the crooked bookie.
Yuvraj tweeted:
"And who is Majid!! Absolute rubbish! Don’t no (sic), never met!”
The next tweet compared Majeed to a rooster practically terming his ‘lie’ a cock-and-bull story.
Harbhajan Singh was equally furious speaking to reporters in Nagpur:
I don’t know who this person is, I have never met him. We will definitely take some action against him. I don’t know whether it will be legal action or whatever.
But I will definitely bring it to the BCCI’s notice and I’m sure they’ll take the right kind of action against these kind people who are trying to spoil the game.
What he really meant:
“Sensationalism first, fact-finding later. That’s the name of the game.”
What he definitely didn’t:
“This rooster (Mazhar Majeed) laid some golden eggs for us (Harbhajan Singh and me).”
Rafael Nadal: What he said, really meant and definitely did not
Rafael Nadal is Retrospective
What he said:
“The Rafa of 2010 had something more special than Rafa of 2011.”
Rafael Nadal introspects on his performance this year comparing it to his impeccable 2010.
Nadal said:
“Win or lose depends on small things. These small things I did better in 2010 than 2011.”
On Djokovic:
When I talk about improving or being a better player, it doesn’t mean making big changes in my game, it’s always just the small things, you just do them better, try to do them better.
This year Djokovic won three Grand Slams, he didn’t lose many matches. I don’t believe that he changed his game unbelievably. He did some small things better than a few years ago.
What he really meant:
“The Djokovic of 2011 is something special too.”
What he definitely didn’t:
“With Djokovic taking up permanent residence in my head, you’d expect me to return serve like him—circa 2010.”
Graeme Swann: What he said, really meant and definitely did not
Graeme Swann Provides Skipper Material
What he said:
“I lose my rag fairly easily, so the captains I’ve enjoyed playing under are the ones who don’t get flustered in the middle even when the pressure is on.”
Graeme Swann expounds on his reasons why Kevin Pietersen was not the right choice for skipper of the English cricket side.
Swann wrote—in the Sun:
There is no doubt Kevin Pietersen is a really fine batsman but he was never the right man to captain England.
Some people are better leaders of men and Kev, for all his talent, is not one of those natural leaders.
The English off-spinner further elaborated that he needed someone “who can calm me down”.
Swann said—of Pietersen:
“At one point in India, his leadership was reduced to screaming ‘F****** bowl f****** straight’ at everyone.”
Swann contrasts Andrew Strauss’ leadership saying “he is one of those guys who demands respect.”
The No. 1 Test bowler in the world commended Strauss:
He always says the right things and his word is never questioned.
If you were in the trenches, you’d pick him to be in charge and his captaincy is founded on leading from the front. He can be hard-nosed, too, if necessary.
What Graeme Swann really meant:
“You can rest assured asking me to ‘F****** bowl f****** straight’ got me to do anything but that.”
What Graeme Swann definitely didn’t:
“Just give us a ‘F****** skipper’—as long as it’s not me.”
Andy Roddick: What he said, really meant and definitely did not
A Union Occupies Andy Roddick’s Thoughts
What he said:
"I don’t think we’re storming offices, but I think the sentiment is still there."
Andy Roddick contemplates the formation of a players’ union. The seemingly heretical idea has gained ground in recent weeks because of the atrocious rescheduling of matches at the US Open this year due to rain. Andy Murray earlier called for a strike if the number of mandatory tournaments during a calendar year are not curtailed.Players on the circuit play almost throughout the year specifically if they are also committed to Davis Cup.
Roddick said:
We need to be smart about it and take our time and make sure that it’s well thought out and not be kind of reactionary. But, you know, there is a discussion going on.
You have to have a voice in order to get it accomplished.Whatever our individual interests are and what we want changed, nothing is going to happen unless we’re on the same page.
Novak Djokovic pulled out of the Shanghai Masters to recover from a back injury sustained during the US Open final. Roger Federer has opted for six weeks of rest and recuperation skipping the Asian swing.
On their withdrawals, Roddick remarked:
They don’t get their money this week. Obviously, if they were feeling well and they weren’t worn down, then they would (be here). We’re not getting away with anything by pulling out of tournaments. I feel like that’s the way it’s presented sometimes. That’s just not the case.
What Andy Roddick really meant:
“What we really need is an ‘Occupy ATP and WTA’ campaign.”
What Andy Roddick didn’t:
“Fewer tournaments, more money. Can things get better than that?”
Ravi Bopara: What he said, really meant and definitely did not
What he said:
"It’s a cut-throat business.”
Ravi Bopara believes that the competition for spots in the English cricket team is ruthless.
Bopara claimed:
"You’ve just got to keep playing well whenever things are in your favour, and make sure you nail it."
The English all-rounder of Indian origin has been in and out of the English squad failing to carve a niche for himself.
What he really meant:
“Tell me about it. I play county cricket—a bloody sacrifice—and yet Eoin Morgan is selected ahead of me despite waltzing off to the IPL.”
What he definitely didn’t:
Rafael Nadal: What he said, really meant and definitely did not
Image via Wikipedia
Rafael Nadal Goes Native in Japan
What he said:
“It’s not just noodles,I’ve had teppanyaki, I’ve been to the fish market. Whatever country in the world we play in we always look for Japanese food.”
World No. 2 Rafael Nadal denies that he’s solely a Japanese noodle sampler. The Spaniard was spotted slurping instant noodles prior and post his matches at the Japan Open. The Mallorcan also slipped freebies into his bag.
Nadal added:
“Maybe 30 percent of nights when we go for dinner around the world we eat Japanese food.”
What he really meant:
“I’m no noodle brain. I can grill, as well.”
What he definitely didn’t:
“A celebratory dinner of teriyaki and teppanyaki followed by saki should I defend my title here.”
Alfonso Thomas: What he said, really meant and definitely did not
Image via Wikipedia
Alfonso Thomas Wishes on a Pollard
What he said:
“At that point of the game, we normally have a guy called Pollard coming in for us, but unfortunately he was playing for the other team.”
Somerset captain Alfonso Thomas harps on his wishbone—in vain—pointing out the unavailability of key players like Kieron Pollard when they are also part of IPL teams. Somerset succumbed to Mumbai Indians in the semis of the Champions League T20. Pollard turned out for the IPL side.
What he really meant:
“An arm and a leg (or a million or two) for Kieron Pollard in my squad.”
What he definitely didn’t:
“Game-changers like Pollard are a dime-a-dozen.”
Anil Kumble: What he said, really meant and definitely did not
Anil Kumble is no ‘Gandhian’
What he said:
"I don’t see any conflict of interest here. The positions with the KSCA and NCA are honorary jobs, and I have to look after myself. At this stage of my career, I have to do that. Otherwise, you’d have to become like Gandhi and give up everything."
Anil Kumble is the third Indian ex-cricketer—after Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri—targeted by current affairs magazine, Outlook India,in their latest issue for an alleged conflict of interest.
Kumble is director and owner of player management firm, Tenvic. He is additionally president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) , chairman of the National Cricket Academy and mentor to IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore. In the latter three capacities, the former leg-spinner could favorably influence the fortunes of his Tenvic wards.
What he really meant:
“I’m not well-versed in perception management. Besides, Gandhi was no cricketer. No real comparison there. N Srinivasan’s my guru.”
What he definitely didn’t:
“Money, Money, Money. It’s a rich man’s world.”
Shoaib Akhtar: What he said, really meant and definitely did not
Shoaib Akhtar ‘Rats Out’ An Australian Elephant
What he said:
“If one could make up one’s body with steroids, I would turn a rat into an elephant. But I’d advise Hayden to take some steroid that could make him look better. Good answer? Give him this answer.”
Pakistan cricket’s enfant terrible, Shoaib Akhtar, reacts to Australian Matthew Hayden’s allegation that he built up his body with steroids.
The speedster was in the spotlight following the release of his autobiography, “Controversially Yours”.
What he really meant:
“Now, if Hayden were following his former teammate Shane Warne, he’d discover that Estee Lauder facials and creams are more efficacious than drugs.”
What he definitely didn’t:
“You can call me ‘Red Bull’ Akhtar.”
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