Usain Bolt's Bowling Floors Harbhajan Singh
Usain Bolt was on his maiden visit to India and he played a promotional cricket match against Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj.
Getting a chance to interact with two global sporting legends in a space of two months is an experience in itself and Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh feels "blessed" to have interacted with Pele and now Usain Bolt. (See pics here)
What completely floored Harbhajan was the manner in which Bolt, the 'fastest man on earth', bowled during the exhibition match in Bangalore on Tuesday. (Usain Bolt charms Bangalore)
"I think cricket is there in Usain Bolt's blood. Since I got to watch from close quarters, it was amazing to see him run-up to bowl. The perfect delivery stride is understandable because he is a world champion athlete. But the manner, he loaded at the crease and then bowled the ball left me zapped. He looked like a natural cricketer. Probably, he would have been as successful playing cricket as he had been in athletics," Harbhajan, who played alongside the Jamaican legend in the match, told PTI today.
Harbhajan, who was in Brazil during the FIFA World Cup had an opportunity to meet Pele but this was "even more special" as the interaction with Bolt was lengthier. (My records are unbeatable, says Bolt)
"It was a wonderful feeling when Bolt came up to me and Yuvi and said 'I have watched your matches and great to know you guys'. It was great to know while interacting that he is so passionate about cricket," Harbhajan said.
The senior off-spinner in fact asked Bolt that why did he not take up cricket. "He (Bolt) told me that his coach told him that he was better in athletics!"
Harbhajan spoke at length about Bolt's training schedule and was amazed at the kind of meticulous planning that has gone into chalking out each and every plan.
"He explained to us as to how his training routine changes during competition time and other times. He has a very different regime as he approaches a competition just like we have a different approach on the eve of the match to other times. If you come to know his detailed training schedule, you would know how much of hard work had gone into making of a champion," said the 34-year-old bowler.