New Zealander Martin Crowe is a part of the think tank of the Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, the Chief Cricket Officer of the team has not just been playing backroom cricket, but also making time to explore the City.
“Bangalore is a beautiful City. I took time off from cricket to go shopping with my fiance. I even played a round of golf. I quite enjoy the weather here,” he says. But tell him that the performance of the Bangalore side has not been as pleasant and he says, “ We are looking at strategies and working towards improving our performance.”

So no qualms about the team composition? “This team is my ideal IPL team. It is a challenge to show that those dubbed as test players are fit for this format as well. I’m hoping that the RCs and Kolkata Knight Riders make it to the finals and then we will beat them, that’ll be a good pay back. And they won’t have Mccullum by then!”

 In fact the IPL format has been a challenge in itself, he continues. It has given many players a chance. There is very little downside. It’s two and a half hours of excitement. It will even make the Test and ODIs more explosive, he adds.

So would he have made it to the IPL squad? Laughs... “Anyone who has been good in ODIs and Test cricket will do well in this format. Anyway what gives me satisfaction is seeing players from different countries in the same uniform. IPL has brought together different cultures and generations. It may be a pressure format, but it’s great fun.”    

Well, IPL has seen more than just cultures coming together, it is a marriage of entertainment and sport. Cricket has seen the involvement of actors and vice versa. Does the Kiwi plan to do movies as well? “Movies are my cousin Russell Crowe’s forte.  I’m happier spending my free time with my folks on the beach and playing golf. However, I will be seen in a movie called ‘Victory’.’’

Let’s just hope he essays a victory for the RCs as well!