'You learn how to conduct yourself'

The Royal Challengers of Bangalore (RCB) is not only a conglomeration of international and Indian cricket stars like Chris Gayle, Dilshan, AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli, but also where some of the budding talents from rural backwater are giving stardom a try.

Raajoo Bhatkal from Davangere is one such lad who is enjoying every minute that he is getting to play alongside the superstars. “I come from a small village in Davangere and worked very hard to get where I am now.

The exposure and experience one gets in the IPL is unparalleled. And more than anything, you learn how to conduct yourself both on and off the field. This is what IPL has done to me,” Raajoo tells Metrolife.

More than training, brain-storming strategy sessions and of course, sweating it out on the field, it’s the fun these guys have off the field that makes the IPL special for most of the players.

By the end of the season, the boys are as close as they can get and would have made a lot more friends than what they would have expected to. 

“The idea is to be ready to go out there and mingle. You can’t be shy and reserved,” notes Raajoo.

Raajoo recollects that he had some interesting moments teaching Chris how to speak Hindi. “More than Indians trying to speak a foreign language, foreigners try to speak Indian languages. Chris is a fast learner. He picked up a few words like namaste, theek hai and chale. And the best thing is that they use it in the right context,” avers Raajoo.

Of all the IPL bashes, Raajoo found the party at Vijay Mallya’s farmhouse quite thrilling.
“I’ve never been to a farmhouse that is so well-equipped and complete with every conceivable party equipment. I had an unforgettable time,” he confesses.

And Raajoo says that off days are sacred. “I relax and indulge in things that I love doing like listening to loads of music and playing any sport other than cricket, just to unwind,” he informs.