GOING NUTS OVER BOLT
Yuvraj Singh is ecstatic after defeating Usain Bolt in a 100m race at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Tuesday
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Bangalore: About 40 minutes into the Usain Bolt show at the M Chinnaswamy stadium on Tuesday evening, delirious fans of the Jamaican superstar were left cursing their luck. An overcast sky and rain threatened to cut short one of the more memorable sports celebrity visits to the Garden City. However, the fastest man in the world - along with cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh - were intent on rewarding those who braved the weather. And they delivered on the promise.
The star athletes earlier began the evening in sudden-death style, with a bowlout in front of 8,000 screaming fans. It became clear to fans that it was all fun and games, with Yuvraj's mock petulance and host Ajay Jadeja's constant ribbing of the former Team India hero being some of the highlights of the 3-3 draw between Team Bolt and Team Yuvi.
That's when the sky opened up, forcing a few impatient spectators to make their displeasure clear. "Even the Gods don't like this mockery," said a purist. "We came here to see Bolt run. We won't be able to do so now," one fan lamented. A 40-minute halt saw the organizers attempt to pacify the crowd with some thumping music on the many loudspeakers around the stadium.
Peering from the pavilion balcony, Bolt continued to feed off of the crowd's energy as he struck his signature pose and blew kisses at the crowds below. Shortly afterwards, Bolt and Yuvraj - dressed in contrasting all-black and all-blue uniforms - were back on the matting wicket near the member stands. It was time to bat.
"Let him go first," Bolt said, pointing in the direction of Yuvraj. "I'm a chaser, I've always been a chaser," said the sprinter, an avid cricket fan. Yuvraj sent a few of the tennis balls deep into the stands - souvenirs for the fans. Bolt, appearing gangly and more like a tail-ender, matched his rival shot for shot to eventually emerge the 'winner.' "Let's move on to the leather balls," Yuvraj said, even as Jadeja and Harbhajan struggled to control their laughter.
Leading a team comprising his best friend and manager Nugent Walker Jr, Harbhajan and four contest winners, Bolt showed he was no mug with the steady medium pace he displayed in two overs. Team Yuvi, comprising Mumbai Indians batsman Aditya Tare and more contest winners, aggregated 58/1 in four overs. In reply, Bolt - who admitted it had been two years since he held cricket gear - guided his side to 62 for no loss, hitting some meaty sixes down the ground in the final over.
"The umpire is from Jamaica," Yuvraj said in protest of some questionable decisions that will be attributed to the men in the middle being good hosts. "I came here to win and I did so," Bolt said. "Thank you for having me here. Yuvi, you need some practice, bro," he added. The gracious all-rounder had the last laugh though, winning the impromptu 100m race against Bolt, although he appeared to use every trick in the book along the way.
Bolt, who presented an autographed pair of spikes for Yuvraj, received a signed bat from the southpaw. He then had one victory lap for the crowd to cap off an unforgettable evening.
The star athletes earlier began the evening in sudden-death style, with a bowlout in front of 8,000 screaming fans. It became clear to fans that it was all fun and games, with Yuvraj's mock petulance and host Ajay Jadeja's constant ribbing of the former Team India hero being some of the highlights of the 3-3 draw between Team Bolt and Team Yuvi.
That's when the sky opened up, forcing a few impatient spectators to make their displeasure clear. "Even the Gods don't like this mockery," said a purist. "We came here to see Bolt run. We won't be able to do so now," one fan lamented. A 40-minute halt saw the organizers attempt to pacify the crowd with some thumping music on the many loudspeakers around the stadium.
Peering from the pavilion balcony, Bolt continued to feed off of the crowd's energy as he struck his signature pose and blew kisses at the crowds below. Shortly afterwards, Bolt and Yuvraj - dressed in contrasting all-black and all-blue uniforms - were back on the matting wicket near the member stands. It was time to bat.
"Let him go first," Bolt said, pointing in the direction of Yuvraj. "I'm a chaser, I've always been a chaser," said the sprinter, an avid cricket fan. Yuvraj sent a few of the tennis balls deep into the stands - souvenirs for the fans. Bolt, appearing gangly and more like a tail-ender, matched his rival shot for shot to eventually emerge the 'winner.' "Let's move on to the leather balls," Yuvraj said, even as Jadeja and Harbhajan struggled to control their laughter.
Leading a team comprising his best friend and manager Nugent Walker Jr, Harbhajan and four contest winners, Bolt showed he was no mug with the steady medium pace he displayed in two overs. Team Yuvi, comprising Mumbai Indians batsman Aditya Tare and more contest winners, aggregated 58/1 in four overs. In reply, Bolt - who admitted it had been two years since he held cricket gear - guided his side to 62 for no loss, hitting some meaty sixes down the ground in the final over.
"The umpire is from Jamaica," Yuvraj said in protest of some questionable decisions that will be attributed to the men in the middle being good hosts. "I came here to win and I did so," Bolt said. "Thank you for having me here. Yuvi, you need some practice, bro," he added. The gracious all-rounder had the last laugh though, winning the impromptu 100m race against Bolt, although he appeared to use every trick in the book along the way.
Bolt, who presented an autographed pair of spikes for Yuvraj, received a signed bat from the southpaw. He then had one victory lap for the crowd to cap off an unforgettable evening.
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