Usain Bolt is intimately familiar with life in the fast lane, so it's no wonder he's chosen T20 as his favourite cricket format. This sport runs in his blood, thanks to his father's passionate influence.
Bolt, renowned as one of the greatest athletes in history with eight Olympic gold medals, harbored aspirations of becoming a fast bowler during his upbringing in Jamaica. Now, as the ambassador for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, he's fulfilling his cricketing dreams.
"I grew up on cricket. My dad was a massive cricket fan and still is. It is something that I have always in my blood. To actually get to be a part of cricket again as an ambassador, it is wonderful. I never got to live my dream of being a cricketer so to be ambassador of T20 World Cup is wonderful," Bolt said while talking to PTI over the phone from New York.
In 2017, the world record holder in the prestigious 100m and 200m events, concluded his extraordinary career. Seven years later, his charisma still stands unparalleled.
As he made his way towards the makeshift cricket stadium in New York, one of the three T20 World Cup venues on the American mainland and the site for the India-Pakistan clash on June 9, a child-like excitement radiated from him while discussing cricket.
His recent months have been filled with global travels for music, football and various other endeavors, leaving him little time to catch live cricket on television, including the ongoing IPL.
"I have not been able to watch as much as I would like to but when I get time, I try to catch up on T20s," said the 'Lightning Bolt'.
Bolt remains exhilarated by speed, which is why he deems T20 as the ultimate format of the game.
"T20s for sure... When they started, it was a great idea and still is. It compresses the game because you have to be strong and quick but also be strategic, set a field and get things done quick. To me it combines Test match and one-day together to create the perfect game."
Bolt isn't alone in the Caribbean in being drawn to the shortest format. Elite cricketers from the region are increasingly celebrated for their performances in T20 leagues rather than their contributions to the West Indian team.
With the surge in popularity of T20 cricket, Test cricket is under serious threat in the region. Bolt concurs that the future favors the slam-bang format.
"I think the T20s and one dayers (ODIs) are still massive in the Caribbean. People actually don't enjoy Test cricket that much. It is all about the speed of the game, big hitters like Andre Russell, so for me that is the direction that is going in (game is going in the Caribbean).
"It will bring more people to watch the sport. Because people love excitement. That is the key," he said.
For the first time, the USA is hosting a global cricket event. Although the sport is currently dominated by South Asian and Caribbean expats, Bolt holds the belief that the local American community will gradually embrace and engage with cricket.
"I surely think the game can grow in USA. When you have presence in a country people start gravitating towards it and want to know more about."
'Kohli is a standout one, for sure'
Despite his limited free time, Bolt reminisces about watching plenty of cricket while growing up in Jamaica, often alongside his father. He vividly recalls the sight of Wasim Akram dismissing batters with his in-swinging yorkers, a memory that remains etched in his mind.
"Over the years, one of my favourites growing up was Wasim Akram because of the in-swinging yorker that he had. Of course, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose, all these guys that I admired over the years, they were so dominant in their space."
Was there anyone in the Indian team he particularly admired?
"Like my father, I always support the West Indies (laughs). But yes, I have also been a Sachin Tendulkar fan. He and Brian Lara were part of my life growing up. It was a great rivalry," he said referring to the two legendary batters.
Among the current lot, Bolt says "Kohli is the standout one for sure".
When questioned about the possibility of a cricketer having even a hint of potential as a sprinter, Bolt's showmanship shone through.
"We have a running joke right now, me and Chris Gayle; he said actually he can beat me over 100 metres. We are looking to put out a race and see what happens (laughs).
"When it comes to speed, I am the best. I don't think there is any cricketer right now that can challenge me (laughs)," said Bolt.
(With PTI inputs)
