sports

Chris Eubank Jr: Boxing is what you make it

“Boxing is what you make it. If you want to make it exciting, if you want to make it something where people are going to look and say, “Wow! Look at the guy. Who does he think he is?” You can do that. If you just want to go in there, punch each other, and then shake hands at the end of the night. You can do that, too. I know what I would rather pay money to see. Some people enjoy it, some despise it. Whether people like it or hate it, they still buy a ticket. We want boxing to be centre stage and you can’t have that with guys who don’t excite.”

—Chris Eubank, Jr.

Gordon Banks: Knife in the ribs

“At that level, every goal is like a knife in the ribs.”

—Gordon Banks. 

W V Raman: What he said, really meant and definitely didn’t 

Wookeri V Raman compares his coaching assignment to sightseeing in New York. 

What he said:

“It’s like you asking me that if you go to New York, will you go to the Macy’s first or will you go to Times Square?” 

WV Raman has his priorities set out but doesn’t care for the order.

The elegant left-hander has been appointed the Indian women’s cricket coach following the unceremonious ouster of Ramesh Powar. The former Mumbai  player had a falling out with Mithali Raj, the seniormost player in the side and current ODI skipper.

What he really meant:

“Priorities are priorities. You tackle them as they come up. Ranking them doesn’t make sense.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Well, if it was New Year’s eve, I’d definitely be at Times Square. That’d be timely. I’d save Macy’s for Thanksgiving.”

Ravi Shastri: What he said, really meant and definitely didn’t

Typical Shastri leads with poetry like a tracer bullet into the microphone:

What he said:

“Past is history, future is a mystery.” 
Ravi Shastri takes no prisoners when queried if past Indian captains can be attributed credit for India’s historic 2-1 series win in Australia.

What he really meant:

“I’m the rhyme master and I’m here to rap. Give me a beat. Tap. Tap. Tap.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I was once Champion of Champions. Will they now title me Coach of Coaches?” 

Justin Langer: What he said, really meant and definitely didn’t

Justin Langer boxes in the shadows. 

What he said:

“I know Davey Warner is the same [as Steven Smith and Cameron Bancroft]. He would be training like Rocky Balboa at the moment.”

Justin Langer believes that Smith, Bancroft and Warner will all be up for it, fit and raring to go on their return to international cricket once their bans are served.

What he really meant:

“Since the general public won’t comprehend  how hard cricketers work in their off time to stay fit,  an Hollywood analogy they can identify with is called for. Besides, Rocky is as mean as they can be in the ring.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Australian cricket is headed for Rocky times with Warner’s return.”

Mithali Raj: What she said, really meant and definitely didn’t

Mithali Raj dresses up her reading:

What she said:

“I just know I have a lot of time to read in the [dressing] room.”

Former India skipper, Mithali Raj, is insouciant about no longer leading the women’s T20 side. 

What she really meant:

“What is this waiting if full of care?  I have loads of time to read and dare.”

What she definitely didn’t:
“Cricket is cerebral and so am I. A match made in heaven. Book me!” 

Ravi Shastri: What he said, really meant and definitely didn’t 

Ravi Shastri traces a bullet. 

What he said:

“There’s a bit of Sachin there, there’s a bit of Viru there, and when he walks, there’s a bit of Lara there!”

Ravi Shastri, the Indian head coach, can’t stop gushing about latest boy sensation, Prithvi Shaw, and his exhilarating debut against the West Indies at home. 

What he really meant:

“Shaw bats like a dream. He’s a kaleidoscope of the bright colours of Tendulkar, Sehwag and Brian Lara. He’s my rainbow.” 

What he definitely didn’t:

“Why did I omit Viv Richards in this comparison? Kohli wouldn’t permit me. That’s why. He insists that sobriquet’s exclusive to him.” 

K L Rahul: What he said, really meant and definitely didn’t

What he said:

“My mother gave me a bar of soap. She told me to go wash it off and not act like a kid. I was 16 years old. She thought my tattoo was a Boomer [chewing gum] sticker.”

K L Rahul describes his mother Rajeshwari’s reaction to his first skin etching. The Karnataka batter was speaking to comedian Vikram Sathaye on his podcast, Viu’s What the Duck 3.

What he really meant:

“While tattoos rock my world, they don’t impress my mother in the least. She’d rather lather me instead.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Hmm… So who could my agent  approach next? Makers of Lux, Liril, Lifebuoy or Dove? Tattoo removal creams? That’s branding of a different kind, innit?” 

John Arlott: Salty quality of human nature

“Cricket, like the novel, is great when it presents men in the round; when it shows the salty quality of human nature. ”

—John Arlott. 

Thomas Bach: Zero tolerance 

“Zero tolerance means all nations and all sports have to be compliant with WADA’s rules. On this front, sport requires the support of governments, governments need to make sure that their national anti-authorities are WADA-compliant.”

—Thomas Bach.