match

Mahendra Singh Dhoni: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

Mahendra Singh Dhoni laments the Ugly Side of Cricket

What he said:

We just saw the ugly side of cricket. Whichever team has the upper hand, doesn’t want to play. Whichever team is not on winning side, will stick around and even play football. That’s what people do and that’s what both sides did.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is frankness personified when he airs his opinion that the Ducksworth-Lewis method of deciding the 4th ODI against England—affected by rain—was detrimental to the spirit of the game. The ODI ended in a tie as decided by the controversial methodology.

Dhoni added:

If you have a day game, you need different guidelines and principles to follow. If you put it under lights, it doesn’t look nice.

Some of the guys were confused. Some thought we had won it. Most of us thought it was a passing shower and we would be able to get back on the field.

Once inside the dressing room, we saw the final sheet of paper. After looking at it, it was apparent it was a tie and none of the side had won the game.

This is not the first time. We were close to winning the first game also. But as I said, you can’t control the weather.

What Dhoni really meant:

“It doesn’t say much for us  if we loiter in the dressing room when the game has swung our way.”

What Dhoni definitely didn’t:

“We caught the Djokovic-Federer semi-final and unanimously agreed with Roger Federer’s post-match sentiment: ‘That’s why we all watch sports, isn’t it?  Because we don’t know the outcome and everybody has a chance, and until the very moment it can still turn.  That’s what we love about the sport, but it’s also very cruel and tough sometimes.’”

Alan Butcher: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

"Now I know what it means when they say you smell like a brewery."

Alan Butcher does not mind reeking of liquor when it happens in a good cause (and celebration). Zimbabwe won their one-off Test at home against Bangladesh on Aug 8,2011, their first five day game in six years.

What he really meant:

“It’s the sweet, heady taste of victory. Can’t you scent it?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I wish they would produce perfumed alcohol. Maybe a fruity brew next time. They do use alcohol in perfumes, don’t they? Why not vice versa?”

Alan Butcher: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

“Zimbabweans pride themselves on being hospitable. So even in this match, we keep throwing them a lifeline.”

Zimbabwean coach, Alan Butcher, throws up an innovative excuse for letting their opponents, Bangladesh, off the hook in the Test at Harare.

What he really meant:

“We do want the Bangladeshis returning for more. They’re  the only team we can beat regularly.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“We take pride in losing matches at home.”

Michael Chang: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“I would have thought that he would know me better than that; that me going out and expressing that has nothing to do with saying, ‘I’m better than you, or ‘God loves me more than he loves you.’ That’s not the case."

Michael Chang is cut up with Andre Agassi’s remarks in his autobiography, Open. The Las Vegan criticised his Christian faith and Michael’s habit of thanking God for his match results.

What he really meant:

“Andre, it’s the same God—for you and me. No favourites with him.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Burn it, Burn Open.”

“Andre, get me your publisher. I have memoirs to make public, as well.”

Andrew Strauss: What he said, what he really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

"We don’t want that fairytale to come true though."

Andrew Strauss is certain that his team has no intention of gifting Indian maestro, Sachin Tendulkar, his 100th century on the occasion of the 2000th Test —also the 100th five-day match between the two sides.

What he really meant:

“Fairy tales are bedtime reading. Tons are hard won. The only magic is hard work and grit.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“We’ll have Kevin Pietersen, our Prince Charming, bowl to Sachin.”

Andy Murray: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

‘It’s hilarious. It happens three or four times a match. I don’t find it amusing.’

Andy Murray is not amused that some fans think it a gag to start a ‘Come on, Tim’ chorus whenever he plays at Wimbledon—an obvious reference to his predecessor Tim Henman, who made four Wimbledon semis without making a single final.

What he really meant:

“Aw, come on, chaps. Tim’s retired, besides he never got to a Slam final. I have three appearances.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Now, you know why I grew a beard this year. I was hoping they wouldn’t recognise me and leave me alone.”

“You do know, it’s not called ‘Henman Hill’ anymore.’Murray Mound’, it is!”

Andy Murray: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“If I’d known they were coming, I would have shaved (smiling). I was thinking to myself as I came off I was sweaty and very hairy. I said to them, I’m sorry, I’m a bit sweaty.”

Andy Murray was unaware that the Royal Couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton, would grace his fourth round match against Richard Gasquet. He would have have shaved his straggly beard—had he known.

What he really meant:

“Grimy, sweaty, beardy, and now I have to curtsey?”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Where’s my Gilette razor?”

Andy Murray: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

"No, because you get sort of attached to them.Like, if you always go into the same shower, and then one day someone’s in it, you’re obviously not going to jump in there. Well, you could, but I choose not to (laughter).I heard Tim (Henman) used to always go in the same shower.Maybe he should have changed when he got to the semifinals."

Andy Murray is not too superstitious about his pre-match and post-match rituals.

What he really meant:

“Rituals are not worth getting oneself in a twist about. You can attribute both positive and negative events to them.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Where’s my Sony Playstation? Don’t you know it relaxes me?”

Mahendra Singh Dhoni:What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“If the correct decisions were made, the game would have finished much earlier and I would have been in the hotel by now.”

MS Dhoni rips into the umpiring during the post-match press conference after the first Test at Kingston, Jamaica.

What he really meant:

“The umpiring was abysmal.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Due to the late finish and poor umpiring, I missed scrumptious tandoori chicken at the hotel’s restaurant.”

Caroline Wozniacki: What she said, really meant and definitely did not

What she said:

"Well, I think that ball came from the other court. I saw it coming.I saw it moving into the court. Then I asked for replaying the point.”

Caroline Wozniacki recounts her reaction to a ball landing in Court 2 in her second round match against Virginie Razzano.

What she really meant:

“What? Where? How? Replay, please!”

What she definitely didn’t:

“Did I hit the ball, already?”