“I’ll Get Fit”: Usain Bolt Considering a Cricket Career, Hints at IPL Debut

Published 12/01/2021, 8:05 AM EST

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If there is one person who thrives to be successful in all aspects of life, it is Usain Bolt. In a decorative athletic career, one for the ages, Bolt won eight gold medals at the Olympic Games. However, surprisingly, athletics was not his first love. An avid cricket lover, Bolt now wishes to play in the IPL someday.

During an interview with Hindustan Times, Bolt opened on getting back in shape and try his luck out in the Indian Premier League.

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Usain Bolt wants to play cricket

The legendary sprinter opened up on his decade-old love for the game. Growing up, Bolt was a huge fan of cricket and football. Having retired from the track and field back in 2017, Bolt now aims to get back in shape, in a hope of pursuing cricket professionally.

Addressing the same, the reporter asked Usain if he’d like to feature in the forthcoming edition of the Indian Premier League, starting next year.

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With no kind of hesitance, Bolt said, “Definitely. I will get my training on. I’ll get fit and get ready. The two main sports in Jamaica at the time was actually was football and cricket. I was a massive fan of cricket because my dad was a fan of it. He watched it every day, every chance you get, you would watch all the teams play so I grew up watching cricket.”

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Notably, back in the day, Bolt’s cricket coach pushed him towards the track, given his insane sprinting ability. Being a fast bowler, his coach saw potential in him and suggested he try out athletics instead of cricket.

Having drawn the curtain on an extensively decorated athletic career, an appearance in the IPL would only further build his legacy in the sporting world. And, of course, it would be a treat to watch for cricket fans all around the globe.

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Bolt’s love for cricket

Back in the day, the West Indies were one of the best cricket teams in the world. With Sir Vivian Richards and Curtly Ambrose, they had some of the best players in the sport. However, as for Bolt, his love for cricket comes from his favorite bowler, Pakistani pacer, Waqar Younis.

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“When I was really small I loved Pakistan cricket team. Waqar was one of the greatest Pakistan bowlers ever, and I was a bowler, so I really enjoyed watching him. I was a big Pakistan fan until I got older when I noticed that I should actually support my home team,” said Bolt.

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Notably, Usain Bolt is also a huge fan of Indian cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar. Whether or not he appears in the IPL remains to be seen. However, if he does make an appearance, he will take the league by a storm for sure.

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Written by:

Jacob Gijy

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Jacob Gijy is a US Sports and NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Gijy finished his Masters in Counselling Psychology and worked in a hospital for 2 years before his passion for sports compelled him to find his way to sports journalism. A fan of the great Tim Duncan, he is always ready to pick up a debate with anyone who does not offer the center the respect he deserves.
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