I want to assimilate everything'

Adventurous route

Although Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) recently lost to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the semi-finals of this season’s IPL, former New Zealand pace bowler Iain O’Brien says that they did so ‘fearlessly’. The ESPN Cricinfo writer was at Church Street Social last week and took some time off to chat about cricket and his love for Bengaluru.

He compares the RCB and CSK teams to that of the New Zealand World Cup team. “I like the team (RCB) and coach (Daniel Vettori) – they play the right style of cricket. They play very similar to how New Zealand played in the World Cup. They play in a way that they believe in the guy behind them, so if they fail they still have the faith of the other team.” He says that this gives them confidence, batting and bowling wise. “This way, if it’s not their day, it’s the guys behind you. That’s what New Zealand did and Vettori has brought to RCB. It’s the same with CSK – one can see what (Brendon) McCullum has taken to his team. It’s a very no-fear style of cricket.”

On his experiences in India, he says, “I’ve been to just Chennai and Bengaluru. I didn’t get to explore Chennai as it was too hot and we were on lock-down, playing cricket. On the other hand, there aren’t a lot of places I haven’t been to in Bengaluru!” With the weather being as pleasant as it is, Iain spends much time walking through the different localities of the City. “The footpaths need a bit of work but that’s not a big deal. I love it here; it’s all the right kinds of crazy stuff.” His favourite route to take is the one from Commercial Street to Russel Market.

  “It’s like going from India that is Westernised to a more traditional India and to a bit of Pakistan. I love all the cities of the world but this is diverse with its measurements. That walk goes in and out, up and down, through the back streets...that has been my favourite part of my stay here and I do it every second day!” he says.

Has he taken the time to shop in Commercial Street and Russel Market? “I’ve shopped everywhere! I don’t remember the shops but I’ve had such a genuinely good time here. It feels safe – as a Westerner you are a bit tainted about that (I don’t want to say ignorant but tainted). I’ve never felt like I’ve had to worry about my safety.”

Iain has also taken the time to binge on various Indian dishes. “I try hard not to eat Western food when I’m here. I think I’ve had every single type of biryani there is, along with some chicken, mutton and vegetarian dishes. One of the ladies at work tries to blow my face off with spicy food but hasn’t succeeded.” His favourite dish is the Hyderabadi biryani. “It’s genuinely one of the best meals I’ve had.”

Known for his eagerness to learn Indian languages, he sums up, “A lot of people come here and don’t assimilate what’s around them. I want to assimilate everything, and walking is as close as I can get to what Bengalureans do and eat.”