Rilee Roussouw, roped in by Royal Challengers Bangalore for IPL III, said the finest thing that happened to him during the tournament was the chance to meet his hero, Adam Gilchrist, former Australian wicket-keeper batsman and captain of IPL side Deccan Chargers.
“I met Gilchrist for the first time a couple of days back. I wanted to know his views on the game and how he approaches it. I want to play like him one day,” Roussouw said.
“He told me some finer points about my batting, so I think he has seen me. It feels nice to see your superstar likes your game,” the left-handed South African said.
Detailing on his meeting with Gilchrist, Roussouw said, “I was very, very nervous. It was actually kind of a surprise. I wanted to meet him and he phoned me in my room. And in the next five minutes, I was there. I couldn’t even plan on what exactly to ask him. It was a quick chat and it was quite an experience.”
Excited
The chance to play for RCB in the IPL too made the 20-year-old excited. “I got an offer during the IPL II and I took it. There’s a lot of South Africans there and there’s a lot of experienced guys in there. I hope I can learn from them.
“I think everyone has different aspirations playing cricket. I want to experience different types of conditions across the world. IPL’s one of those challenges for me.”
Another South African, Cornelius de Villiers, too said the chance to interact with some fine pacemen has helped him a lot.
“I am lucky as a fast bowler to have so many great fast bowlers here for this tournament. Glenn McGrath is here, Brett Lee is here, Allan Donald is here as a commentator, Dale Steyn is here.
“I am pretty honoured just to see McGrath bowling in Delhi. It was a pretty amazing experience. After the game I had a chance to speak to him. What an amazing guy!,” the 23-year-old de Villiers said.
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