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HIGHLIGHTS

  • Steyn said that cricketers are treated like “a Hollywood or Bollywood star” in India
  • He said while the best batsmen in the world were difficult to dismiss, tail-enders would ruin your figures
  • Steyn, South Africa’s all-time Test highest wicket taker, retired from all forms of cricket on Tuesday

Playing in India is the closest a cricketer can get to feeling like a “rockstar”, said recently-retired South Africa fast bowling great Dale Steyn. Steyn, 38, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Wednesday.

“India is crazy! It’s the closest you’re going to be to feeling like a rock star. You’re treated like a Hollywood or Bollywood star. Cricket is just crazy there,” Steyn told SA Cricket Mag.

“You go to the airport and you’re bombarded, you go to practice and there’s 10,000 people watching. It’s doubtful I’ll ever have that experience in my life again with anything that I do,” he said.

Steyn said that he used to be more worried at times about tail-enders than some of the greatest batsmen in world that he had bowled to during his illustrious career. He said that while the best batsmen were difficult to dismiss, the tail-enders would spoil your figures.

“Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting were amazing batters (and sometimes you’d just nod in appreciation). They’re aware of your skills, too, so they’re trying to come out of this contest between batter and bowler unscathed, trying to get away with it without getting out. They only have once chance, where I at least get six balls,” said Steyn.

“Sometimes the best batters in the world weren’t the guys that bothered me that much because of that mutual respect. If I bowled well, they’d play me well. The guys I worried about were the guys who didn’t worry about who I was. The tailenders who came in and were scared but ruined your figures,” he said.

Author

India today

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