The fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt, stated on Wednesday that he prefers T20 cricket, which is not surprising given his background. Bolt, a Jamaican who once dreamed of being a fast bowler, thinks that T20s’ fast-paced format will draw in more spectators from the Caribbean and beyond, maybe even surpassing the appeal of Test matches.
Even after calling it quits on his brilliant athletic career in 2017, Bolt’s captivating demeanor endures. The renowned athlete is excited to be part in his favorite sport as the ambassador for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, saying that he is “living the dream.”
Bolt has established himself as one of the best athletes in history because to his incredible accomplishments on the track, which include setting world marks in the coveted 100- and 200-meter categories. Even after he retired seven years ago, his charisma and power still enthrall audiences everywhere, which makes him the perfect representative of the thrilling T20 cricket scene.
As he made his way to the temporary cricket stadium in New York, one of three T20 World Cup grounds on the American continent and the site of the June 9 India-Pakistan match, one could detect a childlike delight in him while talking about cricket.
I was raised on cricket. My dad still has a deep passion for cricket. It’s something I’ve always been inherited. It’s amazing to be able to participate in cricket as an ambassador once more. Being an ambassador for the T20 World Cup is fantastic since I was never able to fulfill my ambition of being a cricket player,” Bolt told PTI from New York.
He hasn’t had time to watch live cricket on TV since he has been traversing the world for music and football, among other reasons, for the past few months.
Despite his busy schedule, he is aware that the Indian Premier League is now underway.
The “Lightning Bolt” admitted, “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.”
Bolt is still most excited by speed, which is why he believes T20 to be the ideal game format.
“Definitely T20s… It was, and still is, a fantastic notion when they first started. Because you have to be swift and powerful as well as strategic, build up a field, and complete tasks quickly, it compresses the game. It seems to me that the ideal game is created by combining a Test match with a single day.”
Bolt is not the only person drawn to the shortest format in the Caribbean. The same is true of its best cricket players, who are now more respected for their performances in Twenty20 competitions than for their work while wearing West Indian jerseys.
Test cricket is being threatened in the area by the T20 craze, and Bolt only sees a bright future for the slam-bang format.
T20s and one-day internationals (ODIs) are still quite popular in the Caribbean, in my opinion. In actuality, hardly many people are big fans of Test cricket. Big hitters like Andre Russell make all the difference in the game; in my opinion, it is the way the game is headed (it is now in the Caribbean).
“More people will watch the sport as a result. since people enjoy a good thrill. That’s crucial,” he stated.
The USA is holding a worldwide cricket tournament for the first time, and Bolt thinks the local American population will get engaged in the sport even though it is currently played by South Asian and Caribbean immigrants.
“I firmly believe that the game can expand in the United States. People tend to gravitate toward and desire to learn more about you when you are present in a country.”
Bolt may not have much spare time, but he spent a lot of time watching cricket with his father when he was a child in Jamaica. He still remembers the images of Wasim Akram hitting hitters with his inswinging yorkers.
“Wasim Akram has always been one of my childhood heroes due of his inswinging yorker. Of course, I’ve always admired Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose since they were such titans in their fields.”
Did he have a liking for any Indian players?
“I always cheer for the West Indies, just as my father does (laughs). Yes, I have, nevertheless, also been an admirer of Sachin Tendulkar. Growing up, he and Brian Lara were a part of my life. Regarding the two great batters, he remarked, “It was a wonderful rivalry.
Bolt said, “Kohli is the standout one for sure” among the present group.
The showman in Bolt stepped up to answer the question, “Is there a cricketer who has the slightest potential to be a sprinter?”
“My close friend Chris Gayle and I have a running joke right now. He stated he can actually defeat me in a 100-meter race. Our goal is to hold a race and observe the results.
Bolt stated, “I think there isn’t a cricketer right now that can challenge me when it comes to speed (laughs).” He expressed excitement about visiting India again soon.
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